Semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type having a first surface and a second surface, a source region disposed on the first surface, a gate region disposed on the first surface adjacent the source region, and a drain region disposed on the first surface. The semiconductor device also includes a pair of charge control trenches disposed between the gate region and the drain region. Each of the pair of charge control trenches is characterized by a width and includes a first dielectric material disposed therein and a second material disposed internal to the first dielectric material. Additionally, a concentration of doping impurities present in the semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type and a distance between the pair of charge control trenches define an electrical characteristic of the semiconductor device that is independent of the width of each of the pair of charge control trenches.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/879,434, filed Jan. 9, 2007,entitled “Power MOS Transistor,” the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The present application is related to co-pending and commonly assignedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/971,096, filed on Jan. 8, 2008,entitled “Semiconductor device,” the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

The following four regular U.S. patent applications (including this one)are being filed concurrently, and the entire disclosure of the otherapplications are incorporated by reference into this application for allpurposes:

-   -   application Ser. No. 11/971,123, pending, filed Jan. 8, 2008 and        now published as US 2008-0164516, entitled “Semiconductor        device”;    -   application Ser. No. 11/971,139, filed Jan. 8, 2008 and now        issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,964,913, entitled “Semiconductor        device”;    -   the present application; and    -   application Ser. No. 11/971,169, filed Jan. 8, 2008 and now        published as US 2008-0166845, entitled “Method of manufacture        for a semiconductor device”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of electronics.More particularly, the present invention relates to a power MOStransistor device and methods of manufacturing the same. Merely by wayof example, the invention has been applied to a power MOS transistorincorporating fixed charges that balance the charge in the drift region.The present invention has applicability to both lateral and verticalMOSFET structures as well as other MOS structures.

Power MOSFETs are widely used as switching devices in many electronicapplications. In order to minimize conduction and switching power lossit is desirable that power MOSFETs for a given breakdown voltage havelow specific on-resistance and capacitances. Specific on-resistance(R_(sp)) is defined as the on-resistance area product (R_(on)*A). TheSuperjunction (SJ) structure achieves a low specific on-resistance byparalleling higher doping alternate p-type and n-type layers or pillarsthat are charge balanced. Therefore, for a SJ structure, it is desirableto pack as many pillars or cells in a given unit area to lower R_(sp).

In a SJ structure, the minimum widths of the n-type and p-type pillarsset a limitation on reducing cell pitch and scaling the device. Thereare also several drawbacks related to manufacturing this structure,including the need to grow multiple epitaxial layers combined bysuccessive implant and diffusion steps. Alternative approaches such asforming trenches followed by epitaxial trench filling or providingfloating islands have similar disadvantages. Therefore, there is a needin the art for a power MOS transistor characterized by a low R_(sp) andlow capacitances that can be scaled to finer cell pitches. Additionally,reductions in manufacturing complexity are desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to embodiments of the present invention, techniques relatedgenerally to the field of electronics are provided. More particularly,the present invention relates to a power MOS transistor device andmethods of manufacturing the same. Merely by way of example, theinvention has been applied to a power MOS transistor incorporating fixedcharges that balance the charge in the drift region. In a particularembodiment, the fixed charges are present in one or more dielectriclayers. The present invention has applicability to both lateral andvertical MOSFET structures as well as other MOS structures.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductordevice includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type and asemiconductor layer of a second conductivity type formed on thesemiconductor layer of the first conductivity type. The semiconductorlayer of the second conductivity type is characterized by a firstthickness. The semiconductor device also includes a body layer extendinga first predetermined distance into the semiconductor layer of thesecond conductivity type and a pair of trenches extending a secondpredetermined distance into the semiconductor layer of the secondconductivity type. Each of the pair of trenches consists essentially ofa dielectric material disposed therein and a concentration of dopingimpurities present in the semiconductor layer of the second conductivitytype and a distance between the pair of trenches define an electricalcharacteristic of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor devicefurther includes a control gate coupled to the semiconductor layer ofthe second conductivity type and a source region coupled to thesemiconductor layer of the second conductivity type.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, asemiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a firstconductivity type and a semiconductor layer of a second conductivitytype formed on the semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type.The semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type is characterizedby a first thickness. The semiconductor device also includes a bodylayer extending a first predetermined distance into the semiconductorlayer of the second conductivity type and a plurality of trenchesextending a second predetermined distance into the semiconductor layerof the second conductivity type. Each of the plurality of trenchesincludes a first dielectric material disposed therein and the firstdielectric material includes an intentionally introduced charge. Thesemiconductor device further includes a plurality of control gatescoupled to the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type and aplurality of source regions coupled to the semiconductor layer of thesecond conductivity type.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, asemiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a firstconductivity type and a semiconductor layer including a first set ofpillars having the first conductivity type and a second set of pillarshaving a second conductivity type. The first set of pillars and thesecond set of pillars are formed on the semiconductor layer of the firstconductivity type. The first set of pillars and the second set ofpillars are characterized by a first thickness. The semiconductor devicealso includes a plurality of trenches extending a predetermined distanceinto either the first set of pillars or the second set of pillars. Eachof the plurality of trenches comprises a first dielectric materialdisposed therein and the first dielectric material includes anintentionally introduced charge. The semiconductor device furtherincludes a plurality of control gates coupled to the semiconductor layerincluding the first set of pillars and the second set of pillars and aplurality of source regions coupled to the semiconductor layer includingthe first set of pillars and the second set of pillars.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, asemiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a firstconductivity type and a semiconductor layer of a second conductivitytype formed on the semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type.The semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type is characterizedby a first thickness. The semiconductor device also includes a trenchhaving a predetermined depth and extending into the semiconductor layerof the second conductivity type, thereby defining an interfacial regiondisposed between the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity typeand the trench. The trench includes a distal portion consistingessentially of a dielectric material disposed therein and a proximalportion comprising the dielectric material and a gate material disposedinterior to the dielectric material in the proximal portion of thetrench.

The semiconductor device further includes a second trench having thepredetermined depth and extending into the semiconductor layer of thesecond conductivity type, thereby defining a second interfacial regiondisposed between the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity typeand the second trench. The second trench includes a distal portionconsisting essentially of the dielectric material disposed therein and aproximal portion comprising the dielectric material and the gatematerial disposed interior to the dielectric material in the proximalportion of the second trench. Moreover, the semiconductor deviceincludes a source region coupled to the semiconductor layer of thesecond conductivity type.

According to a specific alternative embodiment of the present invention,a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a firstconductivity type having formed thereon a semiconductor layer of asecond conductivity type. The semiconductor layer of the secondconductivity type is characterized by a first thickness. Thesemiconductor device includes a first trench having a predetermineddepth and extending into the semiconductor layer of the secondconductivity type, thereby defining a first interfacial region disposedbetween the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type and thefirst trench. The first trench includes a distal portion consistingessentially of a dielectric material disposed therein and a proximalportion comprising the dielectric material and a gate material disposedinterior to the dielectric material in the proximal portion of thetrench. An intentionally introduced charge is provided in at least oneof the dielectric material disposed in the distal portion of the firsttrench or the first interfacial region.

The semiconductor device also includes a second trench having thepredetermined depth and extending into the semiconductor layer of thesecond conductivity type, thereby defining a second interfacial regiondisposed between the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity typeand the second trench. The second trench includes a distal portionconsisting essentially of the dielectric material disposed therein and aproximal portion comprising the dielectric material and the gatematerial disposed interior to the dielectric material in the proximalportion of the second trench. The intentionally introduced charge isprovided in at least one of the dielectric material disposed in thedistal portion of the second trench or the second interfacial region.

According to another alternative embodiment of the present invention, asemiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a firstconductivity type having a first surface and a second surface, a sourceregion disposed on the first surface, and a gate region disposed on thefirst surface adjacent the source region. The semiconductor device alsoincludes a drain region disposed on the first surface and a pair ofcharge control trenches disposed between the gate region and the drainregion. Each of the pair of charge control trenches is characterized bya width and includes a first dielectric material disposed therein and asecond material disposed internal to the first dielectric material. Aconcentration of doping impurities present in the semiconductor layer ofthe first conductivity type and a distance between the pair of chargecontrol trenches define an electrical characteristic of thesemiconductor device that is independent of the width of each of thepair of charge control trenches. The semiconductor device furtherincludes a control gate coupled to the semiconductor layer of the firstconductivity type and a source region coupled to the semiconductor layerof the first conductivity type.

According to yet another alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of afirst conductivity type having a first surface and a second surface, asource region disposed on the first surface, and a gate region disposedon the first surface adjacent the source region. The semiconductordevice also includes a drain region disposed on the first surface and acharge control trench disposed between the gate region and the drainregion. The charge control trench includes a first dielectric materialdisposed therein. The first dielectric material includes anintentionally introduced charge.

According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, asemiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer of a firstconductivity type. The semiconductor layer of the first conductivitytype has formed thereon a first semiconductor region of a secondconductivity type. The first semiconductor region is characterized by afirst thickness. The first semiconductor region includes a first trenchhaving a predetermined depth and extending into the first semiconductorregion, thereby defining a first interfacial region disposed between thefirst semiconductor region and the first trench. The first trenchincludes a first dielectric material disposed in a proximal portion ofthe first trench and distal portion of the first trench. Anintentionally introduced charge is present in at least one of the firstdielectric material disposed in the proximal portion of the first trenchor the first interfacial region. The first trench also includes a firstgate material disposed interior to the first dielectric material in theproximal portion of the first trench.

The semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type also has formedthereon a second semiconductor region of the first conductivity type.The second semiconductor region is characterized by a second thickness.The second semiconductor region includes a second trench having a secondpredetermined depth and extending into the second semiconductor region,thereby defining a second interfacial region disposed between the secondsemiconductor region and the second trench. The second trench includes asecond dielectric material disposed in a proximal portion of the secondtrench and distal portion of the second trench. An intentionallyintroduced charge is provided in at least one of the second dielectricmaterial disposed in the proximal portion of the second trench or thesecond interfacial region. The second trench also includes a second gatematerial disposed interior to the second dielectric material in theproximal portion of the second trench.

According to another particular embodiment of the present invention, amethod of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The methodincludes providing a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type,forming a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type on thesemiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, forming one or moreinsulator layers on the semiconductor layer of the second conductivitytype, and etching a plurality of trenches in the semiconductor layer ofthe second conductivity type, thereby forming a plurality of CC trenchesand a CG trench. The method also includes forming an oxide layer in theplurality of trenches and on the semiconductor layer of the secondconductivity type, forming a masking layer on a portion of the one ormore insulating layers, forming a gate oxide layer in the CG trench, andforming polysilicon gate material in the CG trench. The method furtherincludes forming a second insulator layer, thereby filling a portion ofthe CC trenches, forming a second material, thereby filling a secondportion of the CC trenches, and forming a third insulator layer, therebyfilling a remainder of the CC trenches. Furthermore, the method includesforming one or more device regions and forming a source metal layer.

According to yet another particular embodiment of the present invention,a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The methodincludes providing a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type,forming a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type on thesemiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, forming an insulatorlayer on the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, andetching a trench into at least the semiconductor layer of the secondconductivity type. The method also includes forming a thermal oxidelayer in the trench and on the semiconductor layer of the secondconductivity type, implanting ions into the thermal oxide layer, forminga second insulator layer, thereby filling at least a portion of thetrench and removing the second insulator layer from a portion of thetrench. The method further includes forming an oxide layer in the trenchand on the epitaxial layer, forming a material in the trench, formingone or more device regions, and forming a second gate oxide layer overthe gate material. Moreover, the method includes patterning the secondgate oxide layer and forming a source metal layer.

According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includesproviding a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, forming asemiconductor layer of a second conductivity type on the semiconductorlayer of the first conductivity type, etching a trench into at least thesemiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, and forming a firstinsulator layer in the trench. The method also includes forming a secondinsulator layer, thereby filling at least a portion of the CC trenchesand forming a gate material in the trench. The method further includesforming one or more device regions and forming a source metal layer.

According to another specific embodiment of the present invention, amethod of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The methodincludes providing a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity typeforming a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type on thesemiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, forming an insulatorlayer on the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, andetching one or more trenches into at least the semiconductor layer ofthe second conductivity type. The method also includes forming a secondinsulator layer in the one or more trenches, implanting ions into thesecond insulator layer, forming a third insulator layer, thereby fillingat least a portion of the one or more trenches, and etching anadditional trench into at least the semiconductor layer of the secondconductivity type. The method further includes forming a gate oxidelayer in the additional trench, forming a gate material in theadditional trench, forming one or more device regions, and forming asource metal layer.

According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, amethod of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The methodincludes providing a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type,forming a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type on thesemiconductor layer of the first conductivity type, and forming aninsulator layer on the semiconductor layer of the second conductivitytype. The method also includes etching a trench into at least thesemiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, forming an oxidelayer in the trench and on the semiconductor layer of the secondconductivity type, and implanting ions into the oxide layer. The methodfurther includes forming a second insulator layer, thereby filling thetrench, forming one or more device regions, and forming a metal layer.

Numerous benefits are achieved using the present invention overconventional techniques. For example, in an embodiment according to thepresent invention, improved MOSFET conduction and switching performanceis achieved. Moreover, in other embodiments, paralleling of alternatecharge balanced dielectric and silicon layers provides a device withperformance exceeding the one dimensional silicon breakdown voltagelimit for a given doping concentration. The use of fixed charge reducesthe capacitances compared to conventional techniques where p-n junctionsare used for charge balance purposes. Furthermore, reverse recoverycharge Q_(rr) and Safe Operating Area (SOA) are improved overconventional devices. Depending upon the embodiment, one or more ofthese benefits may exist. These and other benefits have been describedthroughout the present specification and more particularly below.Various additional objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention can be more fully appreciated with reference to the detaileddescription and accompanying drawings that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a simplified illustration of a planar n-channel DMOStransistor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a simplified illustration of a trench n-channel MOStransistor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor withCharge Control trenches including a second dielectric material accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor withCharge Control trenches including a second dielectric material and avoid according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor withControl Gate and Charge Control provided in the same trench according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor withControl Gate and Charge Control provided in the same trench according toanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with aControl Gate trench and Charge Control trenches having a deep p+ layeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with aControl Gate trench and Charge Control trenches covered by a firstdielectric material according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with boththe Control Gate trench and Charge Control trenches covered by a firstdielectric material according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with aControl Gate trench having a thick bottom oxide and Charge Controltrenches according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with aControl Gate trench having a thick bottom oxide and Charge Controltrenches extending into the n drift region according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with astepped gate oxide Control Gate and Charge Control trenches with a depthless than the thickness of the n-epitaxial layer according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with auniform oxide Control Gate and CC trenches having the same depthaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with athick bottom oxide Control Gate and CC trenches having the same depthaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12A is a simplified top view illustration of a power MOSFETstructure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line AA′ ofFIG. 12A;

FIG. 12C is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line BB′ ofFIG. 12A;

FIG. 13 is a simplified illustration of a single cell of aquasi-vertical power MOSFET with Control Gate and Charge Controltrenches according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14A is a simplified illustration of a quasi-vertical power MOSFETconfiguration with charge control trenches and a thick bottom oxidecontrol gate trench and termination trenches filled with a firstdielectric material according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14B is a simplified illustration of a quasi-vertical power MOSFETconfiguration with a thick bottom oxide control gate, charge controltrenches and termination trenches filled with a first dielectricmaterial and having the same depth according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 15A is a simplified top view illustration of a lateral power MOSFETstructure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15B is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line AA′ ofFIG. 15A;

FIG. 15C is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line BB′ ofFIG. 15A;

FIG. 15D is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line CC′ ofFIG. 15A;

FIG. 16 is a simplified illustration of an n-channel trench MOStransistor with positive charge dielectric layer filled charge controltrenches according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17A is a simplified illustration of an n-channel trench MOStransistor with positive charge dielectric layer filled charge controltrenches and p-body regions according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17B is a simplified illustration of a combined superjunction trenchMOS transistor with positive charge dielectric layer filled chargecontrol trenches according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18A is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 17A with dielectric layer above the trenchesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18B is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 18A with an additional dielectric layer in thetrenches according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18C is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 18A with an additional dielectric layer in thetrenches and adjacent the control gate material according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a simplified illustration of a trench DMOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 20 with a trench depth extending into the n-driftregion according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 17A with an n-drift region between the p-region andthe substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21A is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 18 with a stepped gate oxide according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21B is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 20 with a stepped gate oxide according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22A is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 20 with dielectric filled trenches for devicetermination according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22B is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 20 with dielectric filled trenches for devicetermination with an n+ and p-region short contact at the edge of thedevice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23A is a simplified top view illustration of a power MOSFETstructure as illustrated in FIG. 18A with an alternative layout of then+ region and the and p+ region according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 23B is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line AA′ ofFIG. 23A;

FIG. 23C is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line BB′ ofFIG. 23A;

FIG. 24 is a simplified illustration of a quasi-vertical power MOSFETconfiguration with a conventional termination structure according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a simplified illustration of a quasi-vertical power MOSFETconfiguration using dielectric material filled trenches for terminationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26A is a simplified top view illustration of a lateral power MOSFETstructure according to an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 26B is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line AA′ ofFIG. 26A;

FIG. 26C is a simplified alternative cross-sectional illustration alongline AA′ of FIG. 26A;

FIG. 26D is a simplified second alternative cross-sectional illustrationalong line AA′ of FIG. 26A;

FIG. 26E is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line BB′ ofFIG. 26A;

FIG. 26F is a simplified cross-sectional illustration of a lateral powerMOSFET structure according to an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 26G is a simplified cross-sectional illustration of a lateral powerMOSFET structure according to another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 26H is a simplified top view illustration of a lateral power MOSFETstructure according to an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 26I is a simplified top view illustration of a lateral power MOSFETstructure according to another alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 26J is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line AA′ ofFIG. 26I;

FIG. 26K is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line BB′ ofFIG. 26I;

FIG. 27A is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor with a control gate trench and dielectric layer filled chargecontrol trenches according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27B is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor with common control gate and the charge control trenchesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor as illustrated in FIG. 27A with a deep n+ layer according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29A is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor with Charge Control trenches covered with dielectric layersaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29B is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor with both the Control Gate and Charge Control trenchescovered with dielectric layers according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 30 is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor as illustrated in FIG. 27A with a thick bottom oxide in thecontrol gate trench according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor as illustrated in FIG. 30 with Charge Control trenches thatextend into the p-drift region according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 32 is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor as illustrated in FIG. 31 with a Control Gate trench with astepped gate oxide according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33A is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor with Control Gate trench and Charge Control trenches havingthe same trench depth according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 33B is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor with Control Gate trench and Charge Control trenches havingthe same trench depth and a thick control gate bottom gate oxideaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34A is a simplified top view illustration of a p-channel powerMOSFET structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34B is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line AA′ ofFIG. 34A;

FIG. 34C is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line BB′ ofFIG. 34A;

FIG. 35 is a simplified illustration of a single cell of aquasi-vertical p-channel power MOSFET configuration with Control Gateand Charge Control trenches according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 36A is a simplified illustration of a single cell of a Quasivertical p-channel power MOSFET as illustrated in FIG. 35 withtermination trenches filled with a dielectric material and a controlgate with a thick bottom oxide according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 36B is a simplified illustration of a single cell of aquasi-vertical p-channel power MOSFET as illustrated in FIG. 35 withtermination trenches filled with a dielectric material and all trencheswith the same trench depth according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 37A is a simplified illustration of monolithically integratedn-channel and p-channel power transistors with positive charge in chargecontrol trenches having dielectric layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 37B is a simplified top view block diagram showing integratedn-channel and p-channel power transistors along with low voltagecircuitry monolithically integrated in a single die;

FIGS. 38A-M illustrate a simplified process flow for fabricating asemiconductor device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 38N is a simplified illustration of a device fabricated accordingto the process flow of FIGS. 38A-M including a void according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 39A-I illustrate a simplified process flow for fabricating asemiconductor device according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 40A-I illustrate a simplified process flow for fabricating asemiconductor device according to yet another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 41A-I illustrate a simplified process flow for fabricating asemiconductor device according to an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 41J is a simplified illustration of a semiconductor devicefabricated according to the process flow illustrated in FIGS. 41A-I;

FIG. 42A is a simplified cross-sectional illustration of a p-n diodestructure at breakdown with equi-potential contours shown;

FIG. 42B is a simplified cross-sectional illustration of a diodestructure with fixed charge selected for high reverse blocking atbreakdown with equi-potential contours shown;

FIG. 42C shows the electric field along line AA′ of FIG. 42A and FIG.42B;

FIG. 42D shows the electrical breakdown characteristics of the diodes inFIGS. 42A and 42B;

FIG. 43A is a simplified illustration of a planar n-channel DMOStransistor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 43B is a simplified illustration of a planar n-channel DMOStransistor including a void according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 43C is a simplified illustration of a planar n-channel DMOStransistor including a deep p region according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 43D is a simplified illustration of a planar n-channel DMOStransistor including an n-type layer abutting the substrate according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 44A-K illustrate a simplified process flow for fabricating asemiconductor device according to yet another alternative embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 44L is a simplified illustration of a semiconductor devicefabricated according to the process flow of FIGS. 44A-K including a voidaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 45A-K illustrate a simplified process flow for fabricating asemiconductor device according to yet another specific embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 45L is a simplified illustration of a semiconductor devicefabricated according to the process flow of FIGS. 45A-K including a voidaccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 46A and FIG. 46B are simplified top views of exemplary cellulargeometries provided according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

According to embodiments of the present invention, a power MOSFETstructure is provided that is characterized by improved conduction andswitching performance. In a particular embodiment, a high voltage MOSFETstructure is provided in which dielectric layers containing charge areused to balance the charge in the drift region. By alternatingdielectric and silicon layers that are charge balanced, the structure'sperformance exceeds the one dimensional silicon breakdown voltage limitfor a given doping concentration. Both vertical and lateral MOSFETstructures are provided by embodiments of the present invention.Furthermore, in a specific embodiment, a lateral structure is used inwhich dielectric layers with charge are combined with double or multipleReduced SURface Field (Resurf) techniques for additional improvement inbreakdown voltage and/or on-resistance. Methods of fabricating thesestructures are described and further details, embodiments and examplesof the invention are described throughout the present specification.While reference is made to silicon as the semiconductor material, thisinvention is applicable to power MOSFETs fabricated in other materialsincluding other semiconductor materials.

FIGS. 42A and 42B are simplified cross-sectional illustrations of diodeswith a anode contact at the top and a cathode contact at the bottom. InFIG. 42A, a semiconductor region 4203 lies between the anode andcathode. In FIG. 42B, a semiconductor region 4205 lies between twoinsulating regions 4201. The equipotential lines at breakdown are alsoshown in FIGS. 42A-B with each iso-contour representing 10V. The widthof the mesa region 4205 in the simulation was 1 μm with the distancebetween anode and cathode being 10 μm and the widths of the insulatinglayers being 0.5 μm. In FIG. 42A, the simulation was carried out on asimple p-n diode while in FIG. 42B, there was fixed charge along theinterface between 4201 and 4205. The fixed charge density (Q_(f)/q),where q is the electron charge, was selected for maximum breakdownvoltage. The doping of the semiconducting region was 2×10¹⁶/cm³ in bothcases. In the present specification, references to fixed charge areprovided to illustrate that in some embodiments, spatially fixed charge,which is generally provided by an ion implantation process, are utilizedin the transistor devices. The use of the term “fixed charge” is notintended to limit embodiments of the present invention to implantedcharges, but is used to represent provided (also referred to asintentionally introduced) charges present in the devices.

The simulations clearly show that the presence of fixed charge canincrease the breakdown voltage significantly. In the absence of fixedcharge, the doping level within the mesa must generally be much lowerand the semiconducting region thicker in order to achieve the same highbreakdown voltage. However, this lower doping level and thickersemiconducting region would increase the specific on-resistance of thedrift region of any power MOSFETs made in such a structure.

FIG. 42C shows the difference in electric field along cross-sectionalline AA′ for the structures shown in FIGS. 42A and 42B. The electricfield distribution is poor for the p-n diode while with the fixedcharge, the electric field is more uniformly distributed and istherefore nearly ideal to maximize breakdown voltage. Under reversebias, the fixed charge enables the ionized dopant atoms in the mesa 4205to terminate laterally, which allows a substantially uniform electricfield to be maintained along cross-sectional line AA′ in FIG. 42B. ForFIG. 42A, under reverse bias the ionized dopants must terminate at thecathode so the electric field profile is triangular in shape.

FIG. 42D shows the electrical terminal characteristics of the p-n diodeand the fixed charge diode structure. Without fixed charge, thebreakdown voltage is approximately 34V, while with the optimal fixedcharge, the breakdown voltage is approximately 220V. The data shown inFIGS. 42A-D shows that the use of fixed charge as a charge balancetechnique enables a high breakdown voltage.

While fixed charge is known by those skilled in the art as generallyoccurring near the interface between silicon and dielectric materials,this fixed charge is generally considered deleterious to semiconductordevice performance and is therefore minimized as much as possible duringdevice fabrication. The magnitude of such normally occurring fixedcharge is insufficient to enhance breakdown voltage as shown in FIG.42D. In the present specification, fixed charge refers to chargeintentionally introduced using processes such as ion implantation,diffusion, deposition and the like in addition to charge that results asa by product of fabrication processes. Furthermore, while the interfacebetween the dielectric and the semiconductor region is referred to, itis known that the interface region is not distinct so the interfacialcharge, while generally in the dielectric, may extend somewhat into thesemiconductor material as well.

According to embodiments of the present invention, novel power MOSFETstructures and methods of making such structures are disclosed. The newstructures utilize a concept of providing dielectric layers that haveintentionally introduced charge (Q_(f)). By alternating dielectric andsilicon (drift) layers that are charge balanced, a structure sustains ahigher voltage for a given drift region's doping concentration. In someembodiments, the drift region is formed using epitaxial growth,implantation or lightly doped epitaxial growth followed by implantation,or the like. The device performance provided by embodiments of thepresent invention exceeds the one dimensional silicon breakdown voltagelimit for the same thickness of the epitaxial layer.

In the following description, fixed charge(s) refers to the chargeintentionally introduced using processes such as ion implantation,diffusion, deposition and the like in addition to the charge thatresults as a by-product of fabrication processes. Furthermore, whilereference is made below generally with respect to interfacial charges,i.e., charges in the interface region between the dielectric and thesemiconductor region, it is understood that such charges may also bepresent both in the dielectric as well as in the semiconductor region inwhich the dielectric regions are formed.

At reverse bias, dielectric layer's charge is balanced by charges in thedepletion region. At zero bias, the dielectric layer's charge isbalanced, in part, by the charges present in an inversion layer thatforms at the semiconductor-dielectric layer interface. The charge in thedielectric layer is located at or close to the semiconductor-dielectricinterface for maximum effectiveness. The charge is preferably immobileat typical device operating temperatures. Both negative or positivecharges can be used to provide the required charge to balance thedepletion charge of the ionized impurities of the semiconductor layer.This results in a more uniform electric field along the voltagesustaining region and therefore a higher breakdown voltage.

The present invention provides a number of advantages over conventionalsemiconductor structures that depend primarily on the permittivity andwidth of a dielectric layer adjacent the semiconductor region. Inaccordance with the present invention, the fixed charge provided forcharge balance is not a function of the trench width. Therefore, toachieve a higher breakdown voltage, the width of the dielectric layer isonly limited by the steps needed to introduce the fixed charge andrefill the trench, which enables smaller cell pitches than that whichcan be obtained by conventional SJ or non-SJ type structures.Furthermore, by implementing charge balance by using charges indielectric layers and not p-n junctions or field plates, lowercapacitances are achieved. The structures of the present invention asdescribed herein are easier and more cost effective to fabricate thanconventional devices.

Utilizing embodiments of the present invention, one or more electricalcharacteristics (e.g., breakdown voltage) of the semiconductor deviceare not substantially a function of the trench width. As an example, theelectrical characteristic of the device (e.g., the breakdown voltage) isdefined by the distance between the trenches and the concentration ofdopants present in the material between the trenches. In a particularexample, the integrated charge density of the dopants measured along aline perpendicular to the epitaxial layers of the device between thepair of trenches ranges from about q*1×10¹²/cm² to about q*5×10¹²/cm².Other integrated dopant (also referred to as doping impurity) chargedensities are included within the scope of embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1A is a simplified illustration of a planar n-channel DMOStransistor 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.Although FIG. 1A illustrated an n-channel DMOS transistor, embodimentsof the present invention are applicable to other MOSFET designsincluding p-channel MOSFETs, IGBTs, and the like. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1A, the basic cell of an n-channel MOSFET 100 isillustrated on an n-type epitaxial layer 105 grown over a heavily dopedn+ substrate 101. Although some embodiments refer to substrate 101 as asubstrate, it will be understood that the substrate 101 could be apolished substrate suitable for initial processing or could include asubstrate having one or more epitaxial layers grown thereon. Thus, theuse of the term substrate is not limited to unprocessed semiconductorwafers, but includes structures providing a starting material useful forsubsequent semiconductor processing operations. One of ordinary skill inthe art would recognize many variations, modifications, andalternatives.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the device has a planar control gate 120 andtwo deep charge control trenches 110 and 112 having a negative charge.In this embodiment, the Charge Control (CC) trenches 110 and 112 extendfrom a surface of the device into the heavily doped n+ substrate 101. Inone embodiment, the n-drift region formed in the n-type epitaxial layer105 is uniformly doped. In another embodiment, the n-drift region in then-type epitaxial layer 105 is non-uniformly doped. For example, thedoping profile can be graded to have higher doping at substrate thatdecreases towards the surface or vice versa depending on the deviceparameters.

Although not discussed in relation to each and every embodimentdescribed in the present specification, the integrated charge betweenthe adjacent CC trenches 110 and 112 can be measured. In someembodiments, the integrated charge density (Q_(p)/q) measured betweenthe set of trenches 110/112 along a line parallel to the semiconductorlayer 105 ranges from about 1×10¹² cm⁻² to about 5×10¹² cm⁻², where q isthe electron charge. To obtain highest performance in some embodiments,the integrated charge is preferably balanced by fixed charge providedvia the CC trenches. When the integrated charge is balanced by fixedcharge provided via the CC trenches, the electrical characteristics ofthe semiconductor device, for example, the breakdown voltage between thesource and drain terminals is independent of the width of the trenches.

FIG. 1B is a simplified illustration of a trench n-channel MOStransistor 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, the basic cell of the n-channelMOSFET 150 is illustrated on an n-type epitaxial layer 105 grown over aheavily doped n+ substrate 101. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the devicehas a trench control gate 170 and two deep charge control trenches 110and 112 having a negative charge. The trench control gate (CG) 170extends from a surface of the device into the n-type epitaxial layer105. As in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the CC trenches 110and 112 extend from a surface of the device into the heavily doped n+substrate 101.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a first dielectricmaterial 114, for example, a thermally grown oxide layer, lines thebottom and the walls of the CC trench. In a specific embodiment, thefirst dielectric material ranges in thickness from about 2 nm to about200 nm. In a particular embodiment, the thickness of the firstdielectric material is about 30 nm. The CC trenches 110 and 112 arefilled with a second insulating material 116, which may also be referredto as a compound or composite material herein, in inner portions of thetrench interior to the first dielectric material. In a particularembodiment, the second material 116 includes an aluminum fluoridematerial. As described more fully throughout the present specification,the second/compound/composite material, which may, for example, bealuminum fluoride, provides negative charges at the interface with thefirst dielectric material. The compound material is a single material insome embodiments and includes multiple layers of one or more materialsin other embodiments. Thus, the first dielectric material 114 and thesecond material 116 may be the first dielectric material. As an example,the second material may be a dielectric material as well. It should benoted that the second material may be a dielectric material thatincludes the same material as the first dielectric material or adifferent material.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the tops of the CC trenches 110 and 112 arecovered with a layer of the first dielectric material, illustrated aslayers 130 and 132, respectively. Additionally, the planar gate 120 isinsulated using the first dielectric material in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1A. A layer of gate conducting material 122/172,typically doped polysilicon, is illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. Inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, the first insulating material isprovided as a layer on the walls and bottom of the trench gate 170. Theformation of this layer on the walls and bottom of the trench gate couldbe performed concurrently or simultaneously with the formation of thefirst dielectric layers 114 or as a separate process step. One ofordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations,modifications, and alternatives. Source and drain metallization isprovided as appropriate to the functionality of the MOSFET device. Asillustrated in both FIGS. 1A and 1B, diffused body regions are providedin the devices. These n+, p+, and p-type layers are formed usingconventional fabrication processes such as implantation, diffusion,annealing, and the like. The fabrication of these layers is discussed inadditional detail throughout the present specification.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the integrated charge between the two CC trenches110 and 112 can be measured. In some embodiments, the integrated chargedensity (Q_(N)/q) measured between the set of trenches along a lineparallel to the surface ranges from about 1×10¹² cm⁻² to about 5×10¹²cm⁻², where q is the electron charge. In a particular embodiment, theintegrated charge density measured between the set of trenches 110 and112 is about 2×10¹² cm⁻². To obtain highest performance, the integratedcharge is balanced by fixed charge provided via the CC trenches.

FIG. 2A is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with CCtrenches including a second dielectric material according to anembodiment of the present invention. The n-channel trench MOS transistor200 is formed on an n-type epitaxial layer 205 grown over a heavilydoped n+ substrate 201. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the device has atrench control gate 220 and two deep charge control trenches 210 and 212having a negative charge. The trench CG 220 extends from a surface ofthe device into the n-type epitaxial layer 205. In this embodiment, theCC trenches 210 and 212 extend from a surface of the device into theheavily doped n+ substrate 201.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, the CC trenches 210 and 212include a first dielectric layer 214, a compound material layer 216, anda second dielectric layer 218. The geometry of the illustrated devicefeatures the first dielectric layer 214 on the walls and bottom of theCC trenches 210 and 212, the compound material layer 216 interior to thefirst dielectric layer 214, and the second dielectric layer 218 interiorto the compound material layer 216. In a first embodiment, the seconddielectric layer 218 is the same material type as the first dielectriclayer 214. In a second embodiment, the first and second dielectriclayers are formed using different materials. Sandwiching of the compoundmaterial layer 216, for example, aluminum fluoride, between the twoinsulating layers provides negative charges at the interfaces betweenthe insulating layers and the compound material.

The combination of the first dielectric layer 214, the compound materiallayer 216, and the second dielectric layer 218 fill the CC trenches 210and 212. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the tops of the CC trenches 210 and212 are not covered with the first dielectric material, but are inelectrical contact with the source metallization. A layer of gateconducting material 222, typically doped polysilicon, and diffused bodyand source regions are provided in the device illustrated in FIG. 2A.These n+, p+, and p-type layers are formed using conventionalfabrication processes such as implantation, diffusion, annealing, andthe like. The fabrication of these layers is discussed in additionaldetail throughout the present specification. Source and drainmetallization is provided as appropriate to the functionality of theMOSFET device.

In several embodiments power MOSFET structures are disclosed thatutilize negative charge present in dielectric layers to balance thepositive depletion charge of the ionized impurities in n-type siliconlayers. In a specific embodiment, the walls and the bottom of a controlgate (CG) trench are lined with a first dielectric material such assilicon oxide (SiO₂) and is filled with a conducting material such asdoped polysilicon. A charge control (CC) trench has a thin firstdielectric layer, such as an oxide, a few nanometers in thickness thatis covered by a layer of an insulating or compound material such asaluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) or aluminum fluoride (AlF₃ or AlF_(x)), where anegative charge is generated at the oxide-compound material interface.This negative charge generation effect using a compound insulating layerof silicon dioxide and aluminum fluoride (AlF₃ or AlF_(x)) has beenexperimentally verified where the negative interface charge was found tobe a strong function of the fraction x. Positive charge in the N-driftdepletion region created at reverse bias is balanced by the negativefixed charge located at or close to the interface of first dielectriclayer of the charge control trenches.

In several other embodiments, n-channel power MOSFET structures aredisclosed that utilize dielectric layers that have positive charge(Q_(f)) and p-type silicon layers to sustain voltage. The dielectriclayer is provided in a trench located below or parallel to the controlgate. Under equilibrium conditions, the positive charge in a dielectriclayer or the dielectric layer-silicon interface is partially balanced byan inversion layer charge formed at the silicon-dielectric interface. Atreverse bias, the positive charge balances the negative depletion layercharge of the ionized impurities of the p-type drift region. Thepositive charge can be realized, for example, by implanting positiveions such as cesium or potassium into the oxide layer that lines thetrench walls and bottom. An alternative method to realize positivecharge is by depositing dielectric films where a high density ofpositive charges can be introduced, such as silicon-nitride orsilicon-oxynitride or a combination of the two methods described above.

FIG. 2B is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor 250 withCharge Control trenches including a second dielectric material and avoid according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustratedin FIG. 2B, a void 252 is formed in each of the CC trenches duringdevice fabrication. The void 252, which may occur during dielectricformation processes in high aspect ratio trenches, provides for anadditional dielectric material (e.g., air or an inert environment)interior to the dielectric materials illustrated in the CC trenches. Insome embodiments, the one or more voids formed in the CC trench areintentionally introduced, whereas in other embodiments, they are abyproduct of the deposition process utilized during device fabrication.The depth and width of the void will depend on the particular processflows utilized during device fabrication. Although a single void isillustrated in FIG. 2B, this is not required by embodiments of thepresent invention, as multiple voids may be utilized in otherembodiments. Additionally, although voids 252 are illustrated ascompletely encapsulated by second dielectric layer 218, this is notrequired by embodiments of the present invention. One of ordinary skillin the art would recognize many variations, modifications, andalternatives.

FIG. 3A is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor's basiccell with Control Gate and Charge Control provided in the same trenchaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 3A, for each cell, both the CG and CC trenches are constructed inthe same trench.

The n-channel trench MOS transistor 300 is formed on an n-type epitaxiallayer 305 grown over a heavily doped n+ substrate 301. As illustrated inFIG. 3A, the device has a combined control gate and charge controltrench 320 with the charge control trench region at the distal end ofthe trench having a negative charge. The trench CG 320 extends from asurface of the device (the proximal end of the trench) through then-type epitaxial layer 305, passing into the heavily doped n+ substrate301 (the distal end of the trench). As illustrated, the trench CG 320extends below the p-body n-drift junction 340. In this embodiment, theCC region of the trenches 310 and 312 extends from below thep-body/n-drift junction into the heavily doped n+ substrate 301.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A, the CC trenches 310 and 312 aswell as the trench CG include a first dielectric layer 314 and acompound material layer 316 in a lower portion of the CC trenches andthe trench CG. The upper portion of the CC trenches 310 and 312, as wellas the upper portion of the trench CG includes an additional firstdielectric layer 315 and gate conducting material 322. The interfacebetween the compound material layer 316 and the additional firstdielectric material 315 defines the interface between the lower portionand the upper portion of the CC trenches as well as the CG trench. Asillustrated in FIG. 3A, this interface is positioned in the n-typeepitaxial layer 305.

The geometry of the device illustrated in FIG. 3A features the firstdielectric layer 314 on the walls and bottom of the CC trenches 310 and312 as well as the CG trench 320 and the compound material layer 316interior to the first dielectric layer 314 in the lower portion of theCC trenches 310 and 312 and the CG trench 320. In the upper portion ofthe CC trenches 310 and 312 and the CG trench 320, the additional firstdielectric layer 315 is interior to the first dielectric layer 314 andthe gate conducting material 322 is interior to the additional firstdielectric material 315. In some embodiments, the first dielectric layer314 and the additional first dielectric material 315 are the samematerial type, although this is not required by the present invention.The compound material 316, for example aluminum fluoride, and the gateconducting material 322, for example, doped polysilicon are provided asillustrated.

The tops of the CC trenches 310 and 312 as well as the trench CG 320 arecovered with a layer of at least one of the first dielectric material314 and the additional first dielectric material 315. Diffused regionsare provided in the device illustrated in FIG. 3A. These n+, p+, andp-type layers are formed using conventional fabrication processes suchas implantation, diffusion, annealing, and the like. The fabrication ofthese layers is discussed in additional detail throughout the presentspecification. Source and drain metallization is provided as appropriateto the functionality of the MOSFET device. A process of fabricating thedevice illustrated in FIG. 3A is discussed in relation to FIGS. 41A-I.It will be appreciated that the composition of the dielectric materialsin the bottom portion of the CC trench (the distal portion of thetrench) illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 41I are different. The variations indesign can be implemented, for example, by modifications to the processflow at the step illustrated in FIG. 41D. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

FIG. 3B is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor withControl Gate and Charge Control provided in the same trench according toanother embodiment of the present invention. Fabricated on a heavilydoped n+ substrate 301 and an n-type epitaxial layer 305, the transistorincludes a Control Gate (CG) and Charge Control (CC) region constructedin the same trench. Three such trenches 360, 362, and 364 areillustrated. The bottoms of the trenches 360, 362, and 364 extend intothe n+ substrate 301. The trenches include control gates 372 in an upperportion of the trench (the proximal portion of the trench) and adielectric material 376 in a lower portion of the trench (the distalportion of the trench).

Negative charge is located in dielectric layer or the dielectriclayer-silicon interface present in the trenches 360, 362, and 364 belowthe CG. In the on-state, electron current flows from the source throughthe channel and the n-type drift region to the n+ substrate 301. It isworth noting that the CG sufficiently overlaps the CC portion of thetrench for continuity of the current flow.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the presence ofthe fixed charges in the trench dielectric results in a “built-in”depletion of carriers in the drift region. As illustrated by variousembodiments of the present invention, fixed charges present at or nearthe dielectric interface between the trench and the drift region balancecharge present in the drift region. In another embodiment the negativecharge Q_(f) is such that the n-region below the CG is fully depleted atthe breakdown voltage. Generally, the negative charge in the dielectriclayer is provided by iodine, bromine, chlorine, chromium, aluminum, orother suitable atoms using ion implantation or diffusion of impuritiesinto the oxide using techniques such as vapor deposition of impuritieson the oxide layer followed by a drive-in or annealing step. A processof fabricating the device illustrated in FIG. 3B is discussed inrelation to FIG. 40.

Referring to FIG. 3B and FIG. 16, both figures relate to an n-channelMOSFET, but in FIG. 3B, a negative fixed charge is used at theinterface. This negative charge balances the positive depletion chargeof the n-drift region at reverse bias. In FIG. 16, a positive fixedcharge is used to balance the negative charge of the p-region at reversebias. In the on-state, the positive fixed charge induces an inversionlayer along the interface between the CC trench and the silicon, whichis used for conduction. In the n-type case (FIG. 3B), the region nearestthe charge control region is depleted so the current flows towards thecenter of the silicon pillars. In the positive fixed charge case (FIG.16), the current flows completely along the interface between thesilicon and the oxide.

FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with aControl Gate trench and Charge Control trenches having a deep p+ layeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The n-channeltrench MOS transistor 400 is formed on an n-type epitaxial layer 405grown over a heavily doped n+ substrate 401. As illustrated in FIG. 4,the device has a trench control gate 420 and two deep charge controltrenches 410 and 412 having a negative charge. The trench CG 420 extendsfrom a surface of the device into the n-type epitaxial layer 405. Alayer of gate conducting material 422, typically doped polysilicon, anddiffused regions are provided in the device illustrated in FIG. 4. Thesen+, p+, and p-body layers are formed using conventional fabricationprocesses such as implantation, diffusion, annealing, and the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the CC trenches 410 and 412 are disposedbetween a p+ region 440 that is deeper than the p-body region 442. Thisdesign is used to clamp the breakdown voltage to a predetermined valuethat is lower than that of the breakdown voltage limited by the trenchcontrol gate 420. In this embodiment, the CC trenches 410 and 412 extendfrom a surface of the device into the heavily doped n+ substrate 401. Inan alternative embodiment (not illustrated), a p+ region extends deeperthan the trench CG 420.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the CC trenches 410 and 412include a first dielectric layer 414, a dielectric (also referred to asa compound) material layer 416, and a second dielectric layer 418. Thegeometry of the illustrated device features the first dielectric layer414 on the walls and bottom of the CC trenches 410 and 412, the compoundmaterial layer 416 interior to the first dielectric layer 414, and thesecond dielectric layer 418 interior to the compound material layer 416.In a first embodiment, the second dielectric layer 418 is the samematerial type as the first dielectric layer 414. In a second embodiment,the first and second dielectric layers are formed using differentmaterials.

The combination of the first dielectric layer 414, the compound materiallayer 416, and the second dielectric layer 418 fill the CC trenches 410and 412. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the tops of the CC trenches 410 and412 are not covered with the first dielectric material, but are inelectrical contact with the source metallization. Source and drainmetallization is provided as appropriate to the functionality of theMOSFET device.

FIG. 5 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with aControl Gate trench and Charge Control trenches covered by a firstdielectric material according to an embodiment of the present invention.The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 utilizes a similar structure to thedevice illustrated in FIG. 4. Accordingly, the same reference numbersare utilized for the features in both FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Additionally,as illustrated in FIG. 5, a layer of the first dielectric material 510is formed on top of the CC trenches 410 and 412. In some embodiments,the layer of the first dielectric material 510 is thicker than the firstdielectric material 414 formed in the CC trenches. For example, thelayer of the first dielectric material 510 may have a thickness rangingfrom 0.05 μm to 0.7 μm.

FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with boththe Control Gate trench and Charge Control trenches covered by a firstdielectric material according to an embodiment of the present invention.The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 utilizes a similar structure to thedevice illustrated in FIG. 1B. Accordingly, the same reference numbersare utilized for the features in both FIG. 1B and FIG. 6. Additionally,as illustrated in FIG. 6, a layer of the first dielectric material 610is formed on top of the CC trenches 110 and 112. Another portion of thelayer of the first dielectric material 615 is formed on top of thetrench CG 170. In some embodiments, the layer of the first dielectricmaterial 610 and 615 is thicker than the first dielectric material 114formed in the CC trenches 110 and 112. For example, the layer of thefirst dielectric material 610 and 615 may have a thickness ranging from0.05 μm to 0.7 μm.

FIG. 7 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with aControl Gate trench having a thick bottom oxide and Charge Controltrenches according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 utilizes a similar structure to thedevice illustrated in FIG. 1B and FIG. 6. Accordingly, the samereference numbers are utilized for the features in both FIGS. 1B and 6and FIG. 7. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the first dielectricmaterial layer 710 in the bottom of the CG trench is thicker than thefirst dielectric material formed on the sides of the CG trench. Theincreased dielectric (e.g., oxide) thickness of layer 710 lowers thegate-drain capacitance C_(gd) in comparison with other devices. Forexample, the layer of the first dielectric material 710 may have athickness ranging from 0.1 μm to 1.0 μm.

FIG. 8 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with aControl Gate trench having a thick bottom oxide for lower gate-draincapacitance C_(gd) and Charge Control trenches extending into then-drift region according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 utilizes a similar structure to thedevice illustrated in FIG. 2A. Accordingly, the same reference numbersare utilized for the features in both FIG. 2A and FIG. 8. Additionally,as illustrated in FIG. 8, the CC trenches 210 and 212 extend into then-drift region in the n-type epitaxial layer 205 rather than into theheavily doped n+ substrate 201.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the first dielectric material layer 810in the bottom of the CG trench is thicker than the first dielectricmaterial formed on the sides of the CG trench. The increased dielectric(e.g., oxide) thickness of layer 810 lowers the gate-drain capacitanceC_(gd) in comparison with other devices. For example, the layer of thefirst dielectric material 810 may have a thickness ranging from 0.05 μmto 0.5 μm. Moreover, a layer of the first dielectric material 815 isformed on top of the CC trenches 210 and 212. Another portion of thelayer of the first dielectric material 820 is formed on top of thetrench CG 220. In some embodiments, the layer of the first dielectricmaterial 815 and 820 is thicker than the first dielectric material 214formed in the CC trenches 210 and 212. For example, the layer of thefirst dielectric material 815 and 820 may have a thickness ranging from0.05 μm to 0.5 μm.

FIG. 9 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with astepped gate oxide Control Gate and Charge Control trenches with a depthless than the thickness of the n-epitaxial layer according to anembodiment of the present invention. The embodiment illustrated in FIG.9 utilizes a similar structure to the device illustrated in FIG. 1B.Accordingly, the same reference numbers are utilized for the features inboth FIG. 1B and FIG. 9. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the CCtrenches 110 and 112 extend into the n-drift region in the n-typeepitaxial layer 105 rather than into the heavily doped n+ substrate 101.

Additionally, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a steppedgate insulator 910, typically an oxide layer. The lower portion of thestepped gate insulator 910 includes a dielectric layer 914 that isthicker than the dielectric layer 916 provided in the portion of the CGtrench 170 above the interface between the n-type epitaxial layer 105and the p-body 920. Although the step in the gate dielectric isillustrated at this interface in FIG. 9, this is not required by thepresent invention. The increased dielectric thickness in the lowerportion of the CG trench 910 lowers the gate-drain capacitance C_(gd) incomparison with other devices. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

FIG. 10 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with auniform oxide Control Gate and CC trenches having substantially the samedepth according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 utilizes a similar structure to thedevice illustrated in FIG. 1B. Accordingly, the same reference numbersare utilized for the features in both FIG. 1B and FIG. 10. Additionally,as illustrated in FIG. 10, the CC trenches 110 and 112 extend into then-drift region in the n-epitaxial layer 105 rather than into the heavilydoped n+ substrate 101.

As also illustrated in FIG. 10, the trench of the trench CG 170 extendsinto the n-type epitaxial layer 105 substantially the same distance thatthe CC trenches 110 and 112 extend into the n-drift region in then-epitaxial layer 105. Although the extension depth of the trenches inFIG. 10 is illustrated as identical, this is not required by embodimentsof the present invention. In other embodiments, the extension depth ofthe trenches is similar, for example, within about 10%, providing thebenefits associated with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10. One ofordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations,modifications, and alternatives.

FIG. 11 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor with athick bottom oxide Control Gate and CC trenches having the same depthaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 8 utilizes a similar structure to the deviceillustrated in FIG. 2A. Accordingly, the same reference numbers areutilized for the features in both FIG. 2A and FIG. 8. Additionally, asillustrated in FIG. 8, the CC trenches 210 and 212 extend into then-drift region in the n-type epitaxial layer 205 rather than into theheavily doped n+ substrate 201. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 11, thefirst dielectric material layer 1110 in the bottom of the CG trench isthicker than the first dielectric material 214 formed in the CC trenches210 and 212. For example, the layer of the first dielectric material1110 may have a thickness ranging from 0.5 μm to 50 μm.

Referring to FIG. 11, the trench of the trench CG 220 extends into the nepitaxial layer 205 the same distance that the CC trenches 210 and 212extend into the n-drift region in the n epitaxial layer 205. Althoughthe extension depth of the trenches in FIG. 11 is illustrated asidentical, this is not required by embodiments of the present invention.In other embodiments, the extension depth of the trenches is similar,providing the benefits associated with the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 11. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize manyvariations, modifications, and alternatives.

FIG. 12A is a simplified top view illustration of a power MOSFETstructure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 12Band 12C are simplified cross-sectional illustrations along lines AA′ andBB′ of FIG. 12A, respectively. Referring to FIG. 12B, p-body 920 and n+contact regions 1210 are illustrated in relation to the CC trenches 110and 112 and the trench CG 170. In the cross-section illustrated in FIG.12C, p+ contact regions 1220 are illustrated in relation to the CCtrenches 110 and 112 and the trench CG 170.

FIG. 13 is a simplified illustration of a single cell of aquasi-vertical power MOSFET with Control Gate and Charge Controltrenches according to an embodiment of the present invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 13, the power MOSFET structures provided byembodiments of the present invention can be implemented in aquasi-vertical configuration. In the on-state, electron current flowsfrom the source through the channel and the N drift region 1307,n-buried layer 1305 and n+ regions 1306 (also referred to as a sinkerregion) to the drain contact at the surface of the device. In anotherembodiment the n+ regions 1306 are replaced by trenches filled with aconducting material such as doped polysilicon or tungsten. For purposesof clarity, only a single cell is shown in FIG. 13, but other structureswith multiple parallel cells can also be implemented. One of ordinaryskill in the art would recognize many variations, modifications, andalternatives. A deep p-well or p-guard ring and field plating is usedfor termination.

In the quasi-vertical power MOSFET illustrated in FIG. 13, a p-typesubstrate 1301 is utilized and CC trenches 1310 and 1312 include adielectric layer 1314 and a compound material 1316. The trench CG 1320includes polysilicon 1324 and a thicker layer of dielectric 1322 on thebottom of the trench.

FIG. 14A is a simplified illustration of a quasi-vertical power MOSFETconfiguration with charge control trenches and a thick bottom oxidecontrol gate trench and termination trenches filled with a firstdielectric material according to an embodiment of the present invention.The termination trenches can be of the same or different widths anddepths than those of the charge control trenches. The terminationtrenches 1405 and 1407 are filled with a dielectric material such assilicon oxide (e.g., SiO₂).

FIG. 14B is a simplified illustration of a quasi-vertical power MOSFETconfiguration with a thick bottom oxide control gate, charge controltrenches and termination trenches filled with a first dielectricmaterial and having the same depth according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. As illustrated in FIG. 14B, the bottom dielectric1410 of the trench CG is thicker than the embodiment illustrated in FIG.14A. Accordingly, the depth of the CC trenches, the trench CG, and thetermination trenches are the same in this embodiment. In FIGS. 14A and14B, only a single cell is shown for purposes of clarity, but otherstructures with multiple cells can also be implemented.

FIG. 15A is a simplified top view illustration of a lateral power MOSFETstructure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thestructure shown in FIGS. 15A-D has a planar CG 1502 and CC trenches 1505that extend laterally from the source side towards the drain. The planargate illustrated in FIGS. 15A-15D extends laterally over a portion ofthe CC trench 1505 although this is not required by embodiments of thepresent invention. The first dielectric layer thickness at the trenchbottom and side walls facing source and drain can be different. FIG. 15Bis a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line AA′ of FIG. 15A.FIG. 15C is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line BB′ ofFIG. 15A. FIG. 15D is a simplified cross-sectional illustration alongline CC′ of FIG. 15A.

In an embodiment, the charge in a single dielectric layer in a CC trenchis equal to the effective doping charge in the N-drift region located inthe mesa between CC trenches. In another embodiment, the magnitude ofthe charge in a single dielectric layer in a CC trench is in the rangeof 0.5 to 2 times the charge due to the effective doping concentrationin the N drift region in the mesa between the CC trenches. In anotherembodiment, the dielectric charge density (Q_(f)/q) along thesilicon-dielectric interface is in the range of 5×10¹¹ cm⁻² to 5×10¹²cm⁻², where q is the electron charge.

As illustrated in FIG. 15C, in one cross-section, a dielectric material1510 lines the bottom of the CC trench. Compound material 1520 is thenformed on top of the dielectric material 1510. Referring to FIG. 15D, inanother cross-section through the CC trench, the second dielectric layer1530, which may be the same as the first dielectric material, is formedinterior to the compound material 1520, thereby filling the CC trench.

Although FIGS. 15A-D illustrate an n-channel device fabricated on ap-type substrate, this is not required by embodiments of the presentinvention. In other embodiments, p-channel devices are fabricated on ann-type substrate, with appropriate doping of the diffused regions andother device active regions. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

FIG. 16 is a simplified illustration of an n-channel trench MOStransistor with positive charge located in dielectric layer filledcharge control trenches according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Fabricated on a heavily doped n+ substrate 1601 and a p-typeepitaxial layer 1605, the transistor includes a Control Gate (CG) andCharge Control (CC) constructed in the same trench. Two such trenches1610 and 1612 are illustrated. The bottoms of the trenches 1610 and 1612extend into the n+ substrate 1601.

Positive charge is located in dielectric layer present in the trenches1610 and 1612 below the CG. In the on-state, electron current flows fromthe source through the channel and the electron inversion layer inducedby the positive charge to the N+ substrate 1601. It is worth noting thatthe electron inversion layer overlaps the CG for continuity of thecurrent flow and forms an equivalent to an n-drift region.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the presence ofthe fixed charges in the trench dielectric results in an intrinsicdepletion of carriers in the drift region at zero-bias. As illustratedby various embodiments of the present invention, fixed charges presentat the dielectric interface between the trench and the drift regionbalance charge present in the drift depletion region. In anotherembodiment, the positive charge Q_(f) is such that the p-region belowthe CG is fully depleted at the breakdown voltage. Generally, thepositive charge in the dielectric layer is provided by cesium,potassium, or other suitable atoms. A method of fabricating thestructure illustrated in FIG. 16 is described in relation to FIG. 39

FIG. 17A is a simplified illustration of an n-channel trench MOStransistor with positive charge containing dielectric layer filledcharge control trenches and p-body regions according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. The additional p-body layer 1710 is used toadjust the threshold voltage of the MOSFET and improve the punch throughvoltage.

FIG. 17B is a simplified illustration of a combined superjunction trenchMOS transistor with positive charge dielectric layer filled chargecontrol trenches according to an embodiment of the present invention.Unlike conventional SJ devices, the negative charge of the depleted Ppillar layer is only partially compensated by the positive charge of theN pillar. In other words the P Pillar negative depletion charge isbalanced by both the positive fixed and the N pillar depletion charges.This can provide a means to have better control of charge balance andimprove carrier mobility.

It will be noted that in principle, the superjunction trench MOStransistor could utilize negative charge dielectric layer filled chargecontrol trenches. In these alternative designs, PMOS transistors can befabricated. It should also be noted that although the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 17B utilized trenches extending into the N+substrate, this is not required by embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 43A is a simplified illustration of a planar n-channel DMOStransistor 4300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.Although FIG. 43A illustrates an n-channel DMOS transistor, embodimentsof the present invention are applicable to other MOSFET designsincluding p-channel MOSFETs, IGBTs, and the like. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 43A, the basic cell of an n-channel MOSFET 4300 isillustrated on a p-type epitaxial layer 4305 grown over a heavily dopedn+ substrate 4301. As illustrated in FIG. 43A, the device has a planarcontrol gate 4320 and a deep charge control trench 4310 having apositive charge. In this embodiment, the Charge Control (CC) trench 4310extends from a surface of the device into the heavily doped n+ substrate4301. In one embodiment, the p-drift region formed in the p-typeepitaxial layer 4305 is uniformly doped. In another embodiment, thep-drift region in the p-type epitaxial layer 4305 is non-uniformlydoped. For example, the doping profile can be graded to have higherdoping at substrate that decreases towards the surface or vice versadepending on the device parameters. In another embodiment, the p-typeepitaxial layer is grown over a n-type epitaxial layer that is grownover a heavily doped n+ substrate. In yet another embodiment, the p-bodyregion and the channel extends to the CC trench. Moreover, a deep P+region that is deeper than P-body can be included in the area below thecontact to improve the device ruggedness.

Positive charge is located in dielectric layer present in the trenches4310. In the on-state, electron current flows from the source throughthe surface channel and the electron inversion layer induced by thepositive charge along the CC trench into the N+ substrate 1601. Althoughthe device illustrated in FIG. 43A utilizes only two CC trenches,embodiments of the present invention are not limited to one or two CCtrenches, but may utilize a number of CC trenches greater than two. Oneof ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations,modifications, and alternatives.

Referring to FIG. 43A, the top of the CC trenches 4310 is covered with alayer of the first dielectric material and the polysilicon planar gatematerial illustrated as layer 4220. Additionally, the planar gate 4320is insulated using the first dielectric material in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 43A. A layer of gate conducting material 4322,typically doped polysilicon, is illustrated in FIG. 43A.

As illustrated in FIG. 43A, diffused body and source regions areprovided in the devices. These n+, p+, and p-type layers are formedusing conventional fabrication processes such as implantation,diffusion, annealing, and the like. The fabrication of these layers isdiscussed in additional detail throughout the present specification.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the presence ofthe fixed charges in the trench dielectric results in a “built-in”depletion of carriers in the drift region. As illustrated by variousembodiments of the present invention, fixed charges present near thedielectric interface between the trench and the drift region balancecharge present in the drift region. In another embodiment the positivecharge Q_(f) is such that the p-region below the CG is fully depleted atthe breakdown voltage. Generally, the positive charge in the dielectriclayer is provided by cesium, potassium, or other suitable atoms.

Referring to FIG. 43A, the integrated charge between the two CC trenches4310 can be measured. In some embodiments, the integrated charge density(Q_(p)/q) measured between the set of trenches along a line parallel tothe surface ranges from about 1×10¹² cm⁻² to about 5×10¹² cm⁻², where qis the electron charge. In a particular embodiment, the integratedcharge measured between the set of trenches 4310 is about 2×10¹² cm⁻².To obtain highest performance, the integrated charge is preferablybalanced by fixed charge provided via the CC trenches.

As will be evident to one of skill in the art, other embodimentsdescribed herein are also suitable for computation of the integratedcharge density between sets of trenches. Although, for purposes ofclarity, the discussion of integrated charge density is not discussed inrelation to each and every figure illustrated herein, computation ofintegrated charge is applicable to multiple embodiments describedherein. Since in some applications, multiple trenches will be utilizedin a power transistor device, the integrated charge density can bemeasured between one or more sets of adjacent trenches. When theintegrated charge is preferably balanced by fixed charge provided viathe CC trenches, the breakdown voltage between the source and drainterminals is independent of the separation of adjacent trenches 4310.Additionally, the breakdown voltage is independent of the width of thetrenches 4310.

FIG. 43B is a simplified illustration of a planar n-channel DMOStransistor 4350 including a void according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. As discussed previously, void 4352 may be formedduring dielectric formation processes in high aspect ratio trencheseither intentionally or as a byproduct of the deposition processutilized during device fabrication. The depth and width of the void willdepend on the particular process flows utilized during devicefabrication. Although a single void is illustrated in FIG. 43B, this isnot required by embodiments of the present invention, as multiple voidsmay be utilized in other embodiments. Additionally, although voids 4352are illustrated as completely encapsulated by the dielectric layerprovided in the CC trenches, this is not required by embodiments of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 43B, the gate material conducting material 4322includes a notch extending into the CC trench 4310. The notch resultsfrom the variation in the surface features of the dielectric fill as aresult of the void 4352 illustrated in the CC trench. Accordingly, thedimensions of the notch including the width and depth will depend on thecharacteristics of the void and the surrounding dielectric material.

FIG. 43C is a simplified illustration of a planar n-channel DMOStransistor 4360 including a deep p region according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 43C, the deep p regionimproves voltage clamping and device ruggedness as described in moredetail in the present specification. The deep p region extends below thep-body in the illustrated embodiment although this is not required byembodiments of the present invention. One of ordinary skill in the artwould recognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives. Thedevice illustrated in FIG. 43C also includes a void 4362 formed in theCC trench. Additionally, a notch is formed in the gate conductingmaterial 4322 as discussed previously.

FIG. 43D is a simplified illustration of a planar n-channel DMOStransistor 4370 including an n-type layer 4303 abutting the substrateaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The n-type layer4303, which may be fabricated as part of an epitaxially grown substrate,provides for reduced trench depth. The use of an n-type layer isdescribed in more detail throughout the present specification. Thedevice illustrated in FIG. 43D also includes a void 4372 formed in theCC trench. Additionally, a notch is formed in the gate conductingmaterial 4322 as discussed previously.

FIG. 18A is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 17A with dielectric layer above the trenchesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The thicker layer1810 formed from the first dielectric material is positioned above thegate polysilicon material to cover the top of the trenches. In someembodiments, the first dielectric material is a silicon oxide material(e.g., SiO₂) although this is not required by the present invention.

FIG. 18B is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 18A with an additional dielectric layer in thetrenches according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theadditional dielectric layer 1820, which may be silicon nitride or othersuitable dielectric materials, is formed in the trenches 1610 and 1612,extending from near the bottom of the trenches to the bottom of thecontrol gate material. Utilizing the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18B,an oxide layer is adjacent to the walls of the trench as well as thebottom of the trench. Interior to this oxide layer, the seconddielectric layer, such as silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), is provided next tothe oxide layer. The second dielectric layer is used either to generatea fixed charge or as a cap layer to ensure that the charges used todeplete p-region are maintained near the oxide-silicon surface duringdevice fabrication. The thickness of the second dielectric layer isselected to not completely fill the trench, but to leave room foranother dielectric layer (such as an oxide layer) as illustrated in FIG.18B. Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide for multi-layerdielectric layers, providing support for fixed charges as well asundoped insulating layers.

FIG. 18C is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 18A with an additional dielectric layer in thetrenches and adjacent the control gate material according to anembodiment of the present invention. By forming the second dielectriclayer in the upper portions of the trenches, additional insulatingmaterial is formed around the control gate material. As illustrated inFIG. 18C, the top of the second dielectric layer, for example, siliconnitride, is parallel to the top of the control gate material. However,this particular geometry is not required by embodiments of the presentinvention. In other designs, the thickness and coverage of the secondadditional dielectric material is selected to provide insulatingproperties as appropriate to the particular application. It will beappreciated that in the various designs described herein, multipledielectric layers may be substituted for single dielectric layers areappropriate to the particular application. Thus, the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 18B and 18C is representative of various designs inwhich a single layer of dielectric material (e.g., oxide) is replaced bymultiple layers (e.g., oxide/silicon-nitride/oxide layers).

FIG. 19 is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 17A with an n-drift region 1910 between the p-regionpresent in the p-type epitaxial layer 1605 and the n+ substrate 1601according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is asimplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor as illustrated inFIG. 19 with a trench depth extending into the n-drift region 1910 andnot into the n+ substrate 1601.

FIG. 21A is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 18 with a stepped gate oxide according to anembodiment of the present invention. For purposes of clarity, only asingle trench is illustrated in FIG. 21A. The trench 1610 has a steppedgate oxide layer with a thicker layer 2110 on the lower portion of thetrench and a thinner layer 2120 on the upper portion of the trench.Although the step in the gate dielectric is illustrated at the interfacebetween the p-type epitaxial layer 1605 and the p-body layer 1710 inFIG. 21A, this is not required by the present invention. In FIG. 20, thetrench depth extends into the n-drift region 1910 and not into the n+substrate 1601 as in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21B is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 20 with a stepped gate oxide according to anembodiment of the present invention. As discussed in relation to FIG.20, the trench depth extends into the n-drift region 1910 and not intothe n+ substrate 1601. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 21A and21B, the stepped gate oxide thickness provides a reduction in thegate-drain capacitance C_(gd).

FIG. 22A is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 20 with dielectric filled trenches for devicetermination according to an embodiment of the present invention. The oneor more trenches 2210 illustrated in FIG. 22A may be filled with adielectric material such as silicon oxide and are used to terminate thedevice. The termination trenches can be of the same or different widthsand depths than those of the charge control trenches.

FIG. 22B is a simplified illustration of a trench MOS transistor asillustrated in FIG. 20 with dielectric filled trenches for devicetermination and a body-source short according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. As illustrated in FIG. 22B, the n+ region 2215 abutsthe trench and is shorted to the p+ diffusion region. The shorting ofthe body to the source improves device termination. One of ordinaryskill in the art would recognize many variations, modifications, andalternatives.

FIG. 23A is a simplified top view illustration of a power MOSFETstructure as illustrated in FIG. 18 with an alternative layout of the n+region and the and p+ region according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 23B and 23C are simplified cross-sectionalillustrations along lines AA′ and BB′ of FIG. 23A, respectively. Theplacement of the p+ and n+ at the contact regions are provided in theillustrated embodiment, although this is not required by the presentinvention.

FIG. 24 is a simplified illustration of a quasi-vertical power MOSFETconfiguration with a conventional termination structure according to anembodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 24, thequasi-vertical power MOSFET is fabricated on a p-type substrate 2401 andincludes an n-type buried layer 2403. A p-type epitaxial layer 2405 isformed on the n-type buried layer 2403. The device illustrated in FIG.24 shares some similarities with the device illustrated in FIG. 18.

In the on-state, electron current flows from the source through thechannel, the electron inversion layer induced by the positive chargepresent in the charge control region of the trench to the n-type buriedlayer 2403 and the n+ regions to the drain contact at the surface of thedevice. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24, a conventionaltermination is used and for simplicity only two trenches 2410 and 2412are shown. Other structures with multiple parallel cells can also beimplemented. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize manyvariations, modifications, and alternatives. P-guard rings 2420 areprovided to keep the drain from punching through to the adjacent controlgate region.

FIG. 25 is a simplified illustration of a quasi-vertical power MOSFETconfiguration using dielectric material filled trenches for terminationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.25, deep trenches 2510 and 2520 are filled with a first dielectricmaterial such as silicon oxide, which are used to terminate thequasi-vertical power MOSFET. Other structures with multiple cells and ortermination using multiple trenches filled by dielectric material areincluded within other embodiments of the present invention. Thetermination trenches can be of the same or different widths and depthsthan those of the charge control trenches.

FIG. 26A is a simplified top view illustration of a lateral power MOSFETstructure according to an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 26B-D are simplified cross-sectional illustrationsalong line AA′ of FIG. 26A for several different embodiments of thepresent invention. FIG. 26E is a simplified cross-sectional illustrationalong line BB′ of FIG. 26A.

Referring to FIG. 26A, the lateral power MOSFET structure includes CCtrenches 2605 filled with a first dielectric material such that theoxide in the trenches (e.g., SiO₂) has positive charges includedtherein. The CC trenches 2605 extend laterally from the source side (thelower portion of FIG. 26A) towards the drain (the upper portion of FIG.26A). As illustrated in the various different embodiments, the firstdielectric layer thickness at the bottom, source and drain side walls ofthe CC trenches can be different from the side walls facing the p-driftregion and the n-drift region. Additionally, various doping alternativesfor the mesa region are provided. Moreover, although the CC trenchesshown in FIG. 26A are filled by a dielectric material, other embodimentsinclude dielectric material that includes two or more dielectric layerssuch as, for example, silicon oxide/silicon nitride/silicon-dioxide. Forexample, although FIG. 18B is related to a vertical device, itillustrates the use of multiple dielectric layers in the trench. Such adesign is also applicable to the structures illustrated in FIG. 26A.

The entire structure is covered by a dielectric layer, 2607, as shown inFIGS. 26A-D. This layer is used to passivate the semiconductor device. Ap-type drift region 2608 is disposed between the drain and the body andthe positive charge in the CC trench induces an inversion layer at theinterface between the CC trench and the semiconductor material. Innormal operation, electrons travel from the n+ source through thechannel, along the walls and bottom of the CC trench and into the n+drain. A necessary consequence of this is that the gate must overlap theCC trench to maintain continuity of current. In another embodiment (notillustrated), a device sharing similar features to the one shown inFIGS. 26A-E has an additional positive charge in the dielectric layerthat covers the mesa region surface. This adds an additional conductionchannel along the top surface of the p-type drift region.

As shown in FIG. 26C, one structure provided by one embodiment has anadditional n-surface layer 2610 and another structure provided byanother embodiment has an n-buried layer 2620 as shown in FIG. 26D. Then-surface layer 2610 and the n-buried layer 2620 are added to lower theR_(sp) of the device. The n-surface or n-buried layers are completelydepleted at breakdown voltage by the p-body and the p-type regions.

FIG. 26F is a simplified illustration of a lateral power MOSFET similarto that of FIG. 26B except with a trench Control Gate CG. Electroncurrent flow in this structure starts from the n+ source, verticallyalong the channel, laterally along the walls, bottom, and top of the CCtrench to the n+ drain. The CC trench extends very close to the trenchgate in order for continuity of electron current to be maintained. In analternative embodiment, region 2608 is n-type with negative charge inthe CC trench so the CC trench need not extend fully to the CG sinceelectron current flow is in the n-type drift region. One of ordinaryskill in the art would recognize many variations, modifications, andalternatives.

FIG. 26G is a simplified illustration of a lateral power MOSFET similarto that of FIG. 26C except with a trench CG. Electron current flow inthis structure starts from the n+ source, vertically along the channel,laterally along the walls of the CC trench to the n+ drain. The CCtrench extends very close to the trench gate in order for continuity ofelectron current to be maintained. In an alternative embodiment, region2608 is n-type with negative charge in the CC trench so the CC trenchneed not extend fully to the CG since electron current flow is in then-type drift region. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognizemany variations, modifications, and alternatives.

FIG. 26H is a simplified top view illustration of a lateral power MOSFETstructure according to an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention. The CC trenches in this embodiment are tapered with the CCtrench being wider at the source end and narrower at the drain end. Thisvaries the charge balance and thereby the electric field between thesource and the drain under reverse bias. This effect can be used tooptimize the device characteristics further and to account for thedepletion charge of the substrate as understood by one of ordinary skillin the art.

FIG. 26I is a simplified top view illustration of a lateral power MOSFETstructure according to another alternative embodiment of the presentinvention. It should be noted that the gate conducting material, forexample, polysilicon, is connected between the cells. The structurediffers from 26A in that the CG is formed within the CC trench ratherthan at the surface as shown in FIGS. 26A-E. Referring to FIGS. 17 and26I, similarities in structure can be observed. This effect can be usedto optimize the device characteristics further as understood by one ofordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 26J is a simplified cross-sectional illustration along line AA′ ofFIG. 26I. FIG. 26K is a simplified cross-sectional illustration alongline BB′ of FIG. 26I. As illustrated in FIG. 26K, the CG and the CCtrench are integrated in the same trench in this lateral design. Itshould be noted that the CG regions will generally be provided withelectrical connectivity using a polysilicon, metal, or other layer (notshown) as will be evident to one of skill in the art.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been describedwith reference to n-channel MOSFETs, other embodiments of the presentinvention are p-channel MOSFETs. FIG. 27A is a simplified illustrationof a p-channel trench MOS transistor with a control gate trench anddielectric layer filled charge control trenches according to anembodiment of the present invention. The p-channel transistor isfabricated on a p+ substrate upon which a p-type epitaxial layer 2705 isdeposited. An n-body layer 2707 extends into the p-type epitaxial layer2705. Two CC trenches 2710 and 2712 extend from a surface of the devicethrough the n-body layer 2707 and the p-type epitaxial layer 2705 intothe p+ substrate 2701. The CC trenches 2710 and 2712 are filled with adielectric material 2714 such as silicon dioxide that includes a fixed(e.g., a positive) charge. A trench CG 2720 extends through the n-typelayer 2707 into the p-type epitaxial layer 2705.

FIG. 27B is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor with common control gate and the charge control trenchesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 27B, the gate overlap over the p-drift region and/orthe charge in the dielectric layer is located below the CG by a distancesufficient to allow current to flow from the channel to the p-driftregion. In a manner similar to the trenches illustrated in FIG. 16, thetransistor includes a CG 2730 and CC (dielectric having a positivecharge 2714) constructed in the same trench (trenches 2710, 2712, and2713).

FIG. 28 is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor as illustrated in FIG. 27A with a deep n+ region according toan embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 28, theCC trenches 2710 and 2712 are disposed between an n+ region 2740 that isdeeper than the n-body region 2707. This design is used to clamp thebreakdown voltage to a predetermined value that is lower than that ofthe n-body 2707 to the p+ substrate 2701. In this embodiment, the CCtrenches 2710 and 2712 extend from a surface of the device into the p+substrate 2701. In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), avariation of this embodiment utilizes a n+ region deeper than the trenchCG 2720.

FIG. 29A is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor with Charge Control trenches covered with dielectric layersaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 29A utilizes a similar structure to the deviceillustrated in FIG. 28. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 29A, alayer of the first dielectric material 2910 is formed on top of the CCtrenches 2710 and 2712. In some embodiments, the layer of the firstdielectric material 2710 may have a thickness ranging from 0.05 μm to0.7 μm.

FIG. 29B is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor with both the Control Gate and Charge Control trenchescovered with dielectric layers according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Another portion of the layer of the first dielectric material2920 is formed on top of the trench CG 2720. In some embodiments, thelayer of the first dielectric material 2920 may have a thickness rangingfrom 0.05 μm to 0.7 μm.

FIG. 30 is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor as illustrated in FIG. 27A with a thick bottom oxide in thecontrol gate trench according to an embodiment of the present invention.As illustrated in FIG. 30, the first dielectric material layer 3010 inthe bottom of the CG trench is thicker than the first dielectricmaterial 3020 formed on the sides of the CG trenches 2720. The increaseddielectric (e.g., oxide) thickness of layer 3010 lowers the gate-draincapacitance C_(gd) in comparison with other devices. For example, thelayer of the first dielectric material 3010 may have a thickness rangingfrom 0.1 μm to 1.0 μm. As illustrated in FIG. 31, another embodiment isa p-channel trench MOS transistor with Charge Control trenches thatextend only into the p-drift region 2705.

FIG. 32 is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor as illustrated in FIG. 31 with a Control Gate trench with astepped gate oxide according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 33A is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trench MOStransistor with Control Gate trench and Charge Control trenches havingthe same trench depth according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 33B is a simplified illustration of a p-channel trenchMOS transistor with Control Gate trench and Charge Control trencheshaving the same trench depth and a thick control gate bottom gate oxideaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the various embodiments of p-channel MOSFETs illustrated herein, itis possible to have a P-epitaxial drift region that is non-uniformlydoped. For example, the doping concentration can be graded to havehigher doping at substrate and decreases towards the surface or viceversa depending on the device parameters. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

FIG. 34A is a simplified top view illustration of a p-channel powerMOSFET structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 34B and 34C are simplified cross-sectional illustrations alonglines AA′ and BB′ of FIG. 34A, respectively.

FIG. 35 is a simplified illustration of a single cell of aquasi-vertical p-channel power MOSFET configuration with Control Gateand Charge Control trenches according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. As illustrated in FIG. 35, the power MOSFET structuresprovided by embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in aquasi-vertical configuration. In the on-state, hole current flows fromthe source through the channel and the p-drift region 3507, p-buriedlayer 3505 and p+ regions to the drain contact at the surface of thedevice. For purposes of clarity, only a single cell is shown in FIG. 35,but other structures with multiple parallel cells can also beimplemented. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize manyvariations, modifications, and alternatives. A deep n-well or n-guardring and field plating is used for termination.

In the quasi-vertical power MOSFET illustrated in FIG. 35, a p-typesubstrate 3501 is utilized and CC trenches 3510 and 3512 include adielectric layer that includes a positive charge. The trench CG 3520includes polysilicon 3524 and a thicker layer of dielectric 3522 on thebottom of the control gate (CG) trench.

FIG. 36A is a simplified illustration of a single cell of aquasi-vertical p-channel power MOSFET as illustrated in FIG. 35 withtermination trenches filled with a dielectric material and a controlgate with a thick bottom oxide according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The termination trenches 3605 and 3607 are filled with adielectric material such as silicon oxide. The termination trenches canbe of the same or different widths and depths than those of the chargecontrol trenches.

FIG. 36B is a simplified illustration of a single cell of aquasi-vertical p-channel power MOSFET as illustrated in FIG. 35 withtermination trenches filled with a dielectric material and all trencheswith the same trench depth according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. As illustrated in FIG. 36B, the bottom 3610 of the trench CGis thicker than the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 36A. Accordingly, thedepth of the CC trenches, the trench CG, and the termination trenchesare the same in this embodiment. In FIGS. 36A and 36B, only a singlecell is shown for purposes of clarity, but other structures withmultiple cells can also be implemented.

FIG. 37A is a simplified illustration of monolithically integratedn-channel and p-channel power transistors with fixed (e.g., positive)charge in charge control trenches having dielectric layers according toan embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 37A, thequasi-vertical n-channel and p-channel MOSFETs are integrated in thesame substrate. Other embodiments include using lateral devices as shownin previous embodiments and described in additional detail throughoutthe present specification.

For the structures shown in FIG. 37A, the p-type epitaxial layer as wellas the CC trenches are identical between p-channel and n-channelMOSFETs. This is one of several advantages provided by embodiments ofthe present invention in which charge balance is achieved compared toother techniques, as it greatly simplifies fabrication and reducesmanufacturing complexity. In other embodiments, the monolithicallyintegrated n-channel and p-channel transistors are integratedmonolithically with other active and passive devices such MOS, CMOS,bipolar and JFET transistors, diodes, capacitors, inductors, resistors,combinations thereof, and the like. Additionally, all of the embodimentsdescribed herein can be realized in stripe or cellular geometry layout.Furthermore, it will be appreciated that different combinations of theabove embodiments may also be realized and are included within the scopeof embodiments of the present invention. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

Referring to FIG. 37B, a schematic top view is shown depicting thequasi-vertical NMOS and PMOS transistors from FIG. 37A adjacent to aCMOS circuit block. Since a p-type substrate is used, it is possible tointegrate the power MOSFETs with many other device structures such asCMOS, BJT, JFET, diodes, capacitors, and the like with less complexitycompared to other charge balance methods.

In an embodiment, the charge in a single dielectric layer in a CC trenchis equal to the effective doping charge in the p-drift region located inthe mesa between CC trenches. In another embodiment, the magnitude ofthe charge in a single dielectric layer in a CC trench is in the rangeof 0.5 to 2 times the charge due to the effective doping concentrationin the p-drift region in the mesa between the CC trenches. In yetanother embodiment, the dielectric charge density per unit area (iondensity) (Q_(f)/q) along the silicon-dielectric interface is in therange of 1×10¹² cm² to 5×10¹² cm⁻².

FIGS. 38A-M illustrate a simplified process flow for fabricating asemiconductor device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In the following process flow, a method of making ann-channel transistor with a trench CG and CC trenches filled with oxideand compound material to provide negative charge is described. A heavilydoped n+ substrate 3801 is provided. The substrate 3801 may be dopedwith phosphorus, antimony, arsenic, or other suitable n-type dopants. Ann-type epitaxial layer 3805 is grown on top of the n+ substrate 3801 asillustrated in FIG. 38A. Next, a thin oxide layer 3810 is grown over theepitaxial layer and a thin silicon nitride layer 3812 is then depositedon top of the oxide layer. In a specific embodiment, the oxide layer3810 is 30 nm thick and the silicon nitride layer 3812 is 100 nm thick.

The oxide layer and the silicon nitride layer are masked and etched asshown in FIG. 38B. Although embodiments of the present invention are notlimited by the use of photoresist mask, this is one possible maskinglayer used in some embodiments. The CC trench 3820 and the trench CG3822 are then etched as shown in FIG. 38C, using the oxide/nitridemultilayer mask previously fabricated. After the etch step, a thinthermal oxide layer (not shown) is then grown. For example, the thinoxide layer may be 30 nm thick. Both the CC trenches and the trench CGare then filled with a deposited dielectric material 3824, such assilicon dioxide formed using either a low temperature oxide growthprocess, a TEOS process, or other suitable dielectric formation process.

FIG. 38D illustrates the removal of the oxide formed on the uppersurface of the device. The removal of the oxide on the upper surface ofthe device may be performed using an etch back process, a dry plasmaetch, a CMP process, combinations thereof, or the like. After oxideremoval, the silicon nitride layer 3812 is once again exposed. Fordevices having different CG and CC trench depths, the oxide in the CCtrenches is then etched using a masking layer (e.g., a photoresistmask). Typically, etching of the CC trenches is performed using a dryplasma etching technique to produce the structure illustrated in FIG.38D.

The masking layer (e.g., photoresist) is removed, a thin thermal oxide(not shown) is grown and then another dielectric layer such as oxide isdeposited to fill the CC trenches as shown in FIG. 38E. To form thestructure illustrated in FIG. 38F, the surface oxide is etched down tothe level of the silicon nitride and the dielectric (e.g., oxide) in thetrench CG is then removed using an etching process.

A thermal gate oxide 3822 is grown in the trench CG and on the uppersurface of the device as shown in FIG. 38G. In order to form the trenchCG, polysilicon 3832 is then deposited and is doped using an n-typedoping process such as phosphorus doping and etched back to the level orbelow that of the gate oxide by an etching process such as plasma dryetching, by the use of CMP techniques, by a combination of the two or byother processes. The structure at this stage of fabrication isillustrated in FIG. 38H.

Several masking steps are then performed to implant the p-body and p+layers using p-type doping such as boron, the n+ source using arsenic,antimony, phosphorus, or a combination thereof as shown in FIG. 38I.Additionally, a deep p+ layer may also be implanted as one of theseprocessing steps. Various masking, implantation, annealing, and otherprocessing steps used to form the diffused junctions illustrated in FIG.38I are not illustrated for purposes of clarity. One of ordinary skillin the art would recognize many variations, modifications, andalternatives.

In order to provide for electrical contact regions, the insulatinglayers formed on portions of the upper surface of the device areremoved, typically by use of an etching process, an oxide layer 3850 isdeposited, the oxide layer 3850 is patterned, and contact metallization3852 and 3854 is formed after lapping to complete the device fabricationprocess. The resulting device is shown in FIG. 38M.

An alternative method can be used to introduce the negative charge intothe CC trench instead of implanting negative ions. Following the stepsshown in FIG. 38I an optional protective layer 3840 is then deposited(e.g., silicon nitride) and another masking layer 3842 is patterned asillustrated in FIG. 38J. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 38J, themasking layer is photoresist although this is not required byembodiments of the present invention. The masking layer 3742 is usedduring the removal of the dielectric (e.g., oxide) present in the CCtrenches as shown in FIG. 38K. A thin oxide 3844 is grown in the CCtrenches and then a compound material 3846 such aluminum fluoride (AlF₃or AlF_(x)) is deposited in the CC trenches. At this stage ofprocessing, one embodiment features the growth of a thin layer of thecompound material 3846. Another embodiment (not shown) features thecomplete filling of the CC trench with the compound material. Asillustrated in FIG. 38L, one embodiment fills the CC trench with asecond dielectric material 3848.

It should be appreciated that the specific steps illustrated in FIGS.38A-M provide a particular method of fabricating a semiconductor deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Other sequences ofsteps may also be performed according to alternative embodiments. Forexample, alternative embodiments of the present invention may performthe steps outlined above in a different order. Moreover, the individualsteps illustrated in FIGS. 38A-M may include multiple sub-steps that maybe performed in various sequences as appropriate to the individual step.Furthermore, additional steps may be added or removed depending on theparticular applications. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

FIG. 38N is a simplified illustration of a device fabricated accordingto the process flow of FIGS. 38A-M including a void according to anembodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 38N, a void3862 is formed in each of the CC trenches during device fabrication. Asan example of a process flow that would form the voids illustrated inFIG. 38N, the voids could be formed after step 38K as the dielectriclayer 3848 is deposited as illustrated in FIG. 38L.

The void 3862, which may occur during dielectric formation processes inhigh aspect ratio trenches, provides for an additional dielectricmaterial (e.g., air or an inert environment) interior to the dielectricmaterials illustrated in the CC trenches. In some embodiments, the oneor more voids formed in the CC trench are intentionally introduced,whereas in other embodiments, they are a byproduct of the depositionprocess utilized during device fabrication. The depth and width of thevoid will depend on the particular process flows utilized during devicefabrication. Although a single void is illustrated in FIG. 38N, this isnot required by embodiments of the present invention, as multiple voidsmay be utilized in other embodiments. Additionally, although voids 3862are illustrated as completely encapsulated by the dielectric layersprovided in the CC trenches, this is not required by embodiments of thepresent invention. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize manyvariations, modifications, and alternatives.

According to another embodiment, a method of fabricating an n-channeltransistor with a CG trench and CC trenches filled with oxide having apositive charge is provided. Steps of the method are illustrated inFIGS. 39A-H, which illustrate a process flow for the fabricationprocess. Starting with a substrate 3901, typically a heavily dopedn-type (n+) silicon substrate, one or more epitaxial layers are grown onthe substrate. In some embodiments, an n-type layer (not shown)(typically doped with phosphorus, antimony, arsenic, or the like) and ap-type layer 3905 (typically doped with boron or other suitablematerials) are epitaxially grown. As illustrated in FIG. 39A, otherembodiments utilize only a p-type layer grown on the n+ substrate. Oneof ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations,modifications, and alternatives.

Referring to FIG. 39A, a thin insulating layer 3907 is grown over theepitaxial layer 3905. Typically, the thin insulating layer 3907 is asilicon oxide layer that is formed by a thermal growth process, adeposition process, or other suitable insulator formation processes. Thesurface of the device is masked and a trench 3910 is etched as shown inFIG. 39B. As will be evident to one of skill in the art, trenches areetched for multiple devices concurrently. Thus, although only a singletrench is illustrated in FIG. 39B, it will be apparent that this figureillustrates only a portion of the substrate being processed. A thinthermal oxide layer 3912 (e.g., 50 nm thick) is then grown, forming anoxide layer in the trench.

In order to introduce fixed positive charges into the thermal oxidelayer 3912 an ion-implantation process is utilized as illustrated inFIG. 39C. Suitable ions, such as cesium or potassium are implanted at apredetermined energy for a predetermined time. Depending on theapplication, the implant dose is selected to provide adequate chargebalance to the negative charge in the mesa. As shown in FIG. 39C, anangle implant may be used depending on the trench width and depth. Afterthe implantation process, the trench is filled with a deposited oxideand etched back as shown in FIG. 39D. For example, a low temperatureoxide or a TEOS deposition process can be used to completely fill thetrench. In some embodiments, an etch back is used to planarize thesurface after the oxide trench fill step. As discussed throughout thepresent specification, multiple dielectric layers may be used to formthe dielectric trench fill layer illustrated in FIG. 39D. Thus, thedeposited oxide illustrated here may be replaced with anoxide/nitride/oxide multilayer structure or other multilayer structuresutilizing other dielectric materials. One of ordinary skill in the artwould recognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

As an alternative to the process illustrated in FIGS. 39C and 39D, aprocess can be performed to implant cesium ions inside the trench afterthe trench fill with dielectric using lithography processes. Theimplantation of the cesium or other positive ions into the insulatinglayer 3912 provides for a fixed positive charge at the interface of thetrench 3910 and the p-type region adjacent the trench. As a result ofthe fixed positive charge, at zero bias, the dielectric layer's fixedpositive charge is partially balanced by the charge of an inversionlayer that forms at the silicon-dielectric layer interface. The positivecharge in the dielectric layer is preferably located at or close to thesilicon-dielectric interface for maximum effectiveness. While theinterface between the trench and the p-type region is referred to, it isknown that the interface region is not distinct so the interfacialcharge, while generally in the oxide, may extend somewhat into thesemiconductor material as well.

In embodiments utilizing an annealing process to drive the implantedions (e.g., cesium) into the oxide layer 3912, a deposited layer 3920(e.g., silicon nitride or polysilicon) is used to cap the oxide layer3912 in the trench prior to a thermal annealing process. Such a processis illustrated in FIG. 39E. Referring to FIG. 39F, the cap layer 3920and the surface oxide 3912 are removed to expose a portion of the oxidelayer filling the trench and provide a cavity in which the control gate(CG) may be fabricated.

A gate oxide 3922 is formed, typically through a thermal growth process.The thickness of the gate oxide typically ranges from about 2 nm toabout 200 nm. In a particular embodiment, the thickness of the gateoxide is about 30 nm. In order to form the CG, polysilicon 3924 is thendeposited, doped and etched back as shown in FIG. 39G. Referring to FIG.39H, several masking steps are illustrated in which, throughimplantation, anneal, diffusion, and other processing steps, the p-body,p+ layers, and n+ layers are formed. In some embodiments, p-type dopingis provided by using boron, n-type doping for the n+ source region isprovided by using arsenic, phosphorus, antimony, or a combinationthereof. Additionally, a deep p+ layer may also be implanted as one ofthese processing steps. An oxide layer 3926 is deposited to provide aninsulating layer on top of the polysilicon layer 3924. The oxide ispatterned as illustrated in FIG. 39I and one or more metal layer 3930 isdeposited and defined by one or more photoresist masks. The back side ofthe substrate is thinned (not shown) and backside metal 3932 isdeposited (not shown) to form contacts for the drain. As shown in FIG.39I, multiple trenches are typically utilized for the semiconductordevice. The particular number of trenches will depend on the particularapplications.

It should be appreciated that the specific steps illustrated in FIGS.39A-I provide a particular method of fabricating a semiconductor deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Other sequences ofsteps may also be performed according to alternative embodiments. Forexample, alternative embodiments of the present invention may performthe steps outlined above in a different order. Moreover, the individualsteps illustrated in FIGS. 39A-I may include multiple sub-steps that maybe performed in various sequences as appropriate to the individual step.Furthermore, additional steps may be added or removed depending on theparticular applications. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

FIGS. 40A-I illustrate a simplified process flow for fabricating asemiconductor device according to yet another embodiment of the presentinvention. In the embodiment illustrated in these figures, an n-channeltransistor with a CG and a CC fabricated in the same trench includes anoxide having a negative charge. Steps of the method of fabricating thistransistor are illustrated in FIGS. 40A-I, which illustrate a processflow for the fabrication process. Starting with a substrate 4001,typically a heavily doped n-type (n+) silicon substrate, one or moreepitaxial layers are grown on the substrate. In some embodiments, ann-type layer 4005 (typically doped with phosphorus, arsenic, orantimony) is epitaxially grown. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

Referring to FIG. 40A, a thin insulating layer 4007 is grown over theepitaxial layer 4005. Typically, the thin insulating layer 4007 is asilicon oxide layer that is formed by a thermal growth process, adeposition process, or other suitable insulator formation processes. Thesurface of the device is masked and a trench 4010 is etched as shown inFIG. 40B. As will be evident to one of skill in the art, trenches areetched for multiple devices concurrently. Thus, although only a singletrench is illustrated in FIG. 40B, it will be apparent that this figureillustrates only a portion of the substrate being processed. A thinthermal oxide layer 4012 (e.g., 100 nm thick) is then grown, forming anoxide layer in the trench.

In order to introduce fixed negative charges into the thermal oxidelayer 4012 an ion-implantation process is utilized as illustrated inFIG. 40C. Suitable ions, such as chromium, aluminum, bromine, orchlorine, are implanted at a predetermined energy for a predeterminedtime. Depending on the application, the implant dose is selected toprovide adequate charge balance to the positive charge in the mesa. Asshown in FIG. 40C, an angle implant may be used depending on the trenchwidth and depth. After the implantation process, the trench is filledwith a deposited oxide and etched back as shown in FIG. 40D. Forexample, a low temperature oxide or a TEOS deposition process can beused to completely fill the trench. In some embodiments, an etch back isused to planarize the surface after the oxide trench fill step. As analternative to the process illustrated in FIGS. 40C and 40D, a processcan be performed to implant iodine, bromine, chromium, aluminum, orchlorine ions inside the trench after the trench fill with dielectricusing lithography processes. The implantation of the iodine, bromine,chromium, aluminum, chlorine, or similar ions into the insulating layer4012 provides for a fixed negative charge at the interface of the trench4010 and the n-type region adjacent the trench. As a result of the fixednegative charge in the trench, at zero bias, the dielectric layer'sfixed negative charge is partially balanced by the charge of aninversion layer that forms at the silicon-dielectric layer interface.The charge in the dielectric layer is preferably located at or close tothe silicon-dielectric interface for maximum effectiveness.

In embodiments utilizing an annealing process to drive the implantedions (e.g., iodine, bromine, chromium, aluminum, or chlorine) into theoxide layer 4012, a deposited layer 4020 (e.g., silicon nitride,polysilicon, or the like) is used to cap the oxide layer 4012 in thetrench prior to a thermal annealing process. Such a process isillustrated in FIG. 40E. Referring to FIG. 40F, the cap layer 4020 andthe surface oxide 4012 are removed to expose a portion of the oxidelayer filling the trench and provide a cavity in which the control gate(CG) may be fabricated.

A gate oxide 4022 is deposited, typically through a thermal growthprocess. The thickness of the gate oxide typically ranges from about 2nm to about 200 nm. In a particular embodiment, the thickness of thegate oxide is about 50 nm. In order to form the CG, polysilicon 4024 isthen deposited, doped and etched back as shown in FIG. 40G. Referring toFIG. 40H, several masking steps are illustrated in which, throughimplantation, anneal, diffusion, and other processing steps, the p-body,p+ layers, and n+ layers are formed. In some embodiments, p-type dopingis provided by using boron, n-type doping for the n+ source region isprovided by using arsenic, phosphorus, antimony, or a combinationthereof. Additionally, a deep p+ layer may also be implanted as one ofthese processing steps. An oxide layer 4026 is deposited to provide aninsulating layer on top of the polysilicon layer 4024. The oxide ispatterned as illustrated in FIG. 40I and one or more metal layer 4030 isdeposited and defined by one or more photoresist masks. The back side ofthe substrate is thinned (not shown) and backside metal 4032 isdeposited (not shown) to form contacts for the drain. As shown in FIG.40I, multiple trenches are typically utilized for the semiconductordevice. The particular number of trenches will depend on the particularapplications.

It should be appreciated that the specific steps illustrated in FIGS.40A-I provide a particular method of fabricating a semiconductor deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Other sequences ofsteps may also be performed according to alternative embodiments. Forexample, alternative embodiments of the present invention may performthe steps outlined above in a different order. Moreover, the individualsteps illustrated in FIGS. 40A-I may include multiple sub-steps that maybe performed in various sequences as appropriate to the individual step.Furthermore, additional steps may be added or removed depending on theparticular applications. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

FIGS. 41A-I illustrate a simplified process flow for fabricating asemiconductor device according to an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention. As illustrated in FIG. 41I, this alternativeembodiment provides a method of fabricating an n-channel transistor witha CG and a CC in the same trench. Starting with a substrate 4101,typically a heavily doped n-type (n+) silicon substrate, one or moreepitaxial layers 4105 are grown on the substrate 4101. As illustrated inFIG. 41A, an n-type epitaxial layer 4105 (typically doped withphosphorus, arsenic, antimony, or the like) is grown on the substrate.One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations,modifications, and alternatives.

Referring to FIG. 41A, a thin dielectric layer 4107 is grown over theepitaxial layer 4105. Typically, the thin dielectric layer 4107 is asilicon oxide layer that is formed by a thermal growth process, adeposition process, or other suitable insulator formation processes. Insome embodiments, the thin dielectric layer 4107, which is typically asilicon dioxide layer and may be have a thickness of about 30 nm, isreferred to as a screen oxide. The p-body layer 4109 is then implantedthrough the thin dielectric layer 4107 using boron with an implant doseof between about 5×10¹² and 1×10¹⁴ ions/cm² in a particular embodiment.After implantation, an annealing process is used to drive the implantedions into the device.

Referring to FIG. 41C, a trench 4111 is etched through the screen oxide,the p-body layer, the n-type epitaxial layer and into the substrate. Itwill be appreciated that in other embodiments, the depth of the trench4111 may be varied as appropriate to the particular application.Additionally, as will be evident to one of skill in the art, trenchesare etched for multiple devices concurrently. Thus, although only asingle trench is illustrated in FIG. 41C, it will be apparent that thisfigure illustrates only a portion of the substrate being processed. Athin thermal oxide layer 4113 (e.g., 2 nm thick) is then grown, formingan oxide layer in the trench.

In order to introduce fixed negative charges into the trench, ahighly-doped insulating layer 4120 is formed in the trench asillustrated in FIG. 41D. In an embodiment, the layer 4120 is formedusing boron-doped spin-on-glass (SOG). Generally, the thickness of layer4120 is about 10 nm. In other designs, other doped materials are used toform the layer 4120 that includes fixed positive charges. A protectivelayer 4122, for example, aluminum, is deposited on top of layer 4120 andan anneal process is performed. In a particular embodiment, the layer ofaluminum is about 200 nm thick and the annealing is performed at atemperature of about 450° C. in a nitrogen environment. Other suitablemetals or dielectric materials are utilized in other embodiments. FIG.41F illustrates a wet etch process in which the protective layer 4122 isremoved, exposing the underlying layer of doped SOG.

The trench is filled with dielectric material 4130 as illustrated inFIG. 41G. The dielectric material 4130 may be the same dielectricmaterial used to fabricate layer 4113, such as SOG. In contrast with thedoped insulating layer 4120, the dielectric material 4130 is not doped.Additionally, the dielectric material 4130 may be deposited on top ofthe p-body layer as shown in FIG. 41G. In other embodiments, otherdielectric materials are used to fabricate fill and layer 4130, forexample, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or other suitable materials.

Referring to FIG. 41H, portions of the dielectric layer 4130 along withdoped insulating layer 4120 are removed to expose a portion of thedielectric material 4130 filling the trench and provide a cavity inwhich the control gate (CG) may be fabricated. For example, an etchingprocess may be used to remove portions of the dielectric layer 4130 to alevel approximately equal to the thickness of the p-body layer. Afterthe etching process, a new gate oxide is deposited or grown on theinterior portions of the trench as shown in FIG. 41H. The gate oxide4140 may have a thickness ranging from about 2 nm to about 200 nm. In aparticular embodiment, the thickness of the gate oxide is about 50 nm.In order to protect underlying layers from dopant migration or othertemperature related effects, the gate oxide 4140 is typically formedusing a low temperature process, for example a thermal growthtemperature of about 850-900° C.

In order to form the CG, polysilicon 4142 is then deposited, doped, andetched back to fill the trench as shown in FIG. 41I. Referring to FIG.41I, several masking steps are illustrated in which, throughimplantation, anneal, diffusion, and other processing steps, the variousp+ layers and n+ layers are formed. In some embodiments, p-type dopingis provided by using boron, n-type doping for the n+ source region isprovided by using arsenic, phosphorus, antimony, or a combinationthereof. An oxide layer is deposited to provide an insulating layer ontop of the polysilicon layer. The oxide is patterned as illustrated inFIG. 41I and one or more metal layers are deposited and defined by oneor more photoresist masks. The back side of the substrate is thinned(not shown) and backside metal is deposited (not shown) to form contactsfor the drain. In the process illustrated in FIGS. 41H and 41I, lowtemperature processing is utilized to protect underlying layers fromdopant migration or other temperature related effects. Accordingly, theprocessing steps illustrated in FIG. 41I are performed at temperaturesless than or equal to about 850-900° C.

FIG. 41J illustrates a set of trench MOS transistors fabricated usingthe process flow illustrated in FIGS. 41A-I. The CG and the CC areprovided in the same trench, with a fixed negative charge contained inthe doped dielectric layer 4120. It should be appreciated that thespecific steps illustrated in FIGS. 41A-I provide a particular method offabricating a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Other sequences of steps may also be performedaccording to alternative embodiments. For example, alternativeembodiments of the present invention may perform the steps outlinedabove in a different order. Moreover, the individual steps illustratedin FIGS. 41A-I may include multiple sub-steps that may be performed invarious sequences as appropriate to the individual step. Furthermore,additional steps may be added or removed depending on the particularapplications. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize manyvariations, modifications, and alternatives.

The structure shown in FIGS. 37A and 37B can be fabricated using aprocess similar to that described in relation to FIGS. 41A-I. Theprimary changes between these structures are the starting material type,the formation of n+ and p+ buried layers prior to epitaxial growth, andthe formation of deep n+ and p+ sinkers. While most of the power MOSFETfabrication proceeds separately, steps such as n+, p+, metal and contactcan be shared between the power transistor and low voltage circuitrysuch as CMOS reducing the cost. Since the thermal budget for low voltageCMOS is limited, the power MOSFET is not affected significantly if thedevice is protected sufficiently during fabrication.

It should be noted that although the top views of various devicesdescribed herein have utilized stripe geometries, such as illustrated inFIG. 23A, this is not required by embodiments of the present invention.Merely by way of example, other cellular geometries or cell structuresare included within the scope of embodiments of the present invention,for instance, hexagonal, rectangular, circular, oval, and the like.

FIG. 46A and FIG. 46B are simplified top views of exemplary cellulargeometries provided according to embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 46A is an exemplary top view of a device 4610 that includes aseries of nine trenches 461 through 469 that have rectangular top viewsand are arrayed in a grid. FIG. 46B is another exemplary top view ofdevice 4620, in accordance with which trenches 4611 through 4619 areshown as having circular top views. It is understood that trenches 206may have any other top views, such as hexagonal, oval, or the like.

FIGS. 44A-K illustrate a simplified process flow for fabricating asemiconductor device according to yet another alternative embodiment ofthe present invention. In the following process flow, a method of makingan n-channel transistor with a trench CG and CC trenches filled with adielectric material (e.g., a silicon oxide material) having a fixednegative charge is described. A heavily doped n+ substrate 4401 isprovided. The substrate 4401 may be doped with phosphorus, antimony,arsenic, or other suitable n-type dopants. An n-type epitaxial layer4405 is grown on top of the n+ substrate 4401 as illustrated in FIG.44A. Next, a thin oxide layer 4410 is grown over the epitaxial layer anda thin silicon nitride layer 4412 is then deposited on top of the oxidelayer. In a specific embodiment, the oxide layer 4410 is 30 nm thick andthe silicon nitride layer 4412 is 100 nm thick.

The oxide layer and the silicon nitride layer are masked and etched asshown in FIG. 44B. Although embodiments of the present invention are notlimited by the use of photoresist mask, this is one possible maskinglayer used in some embodiments. The CC trenches 4420 are then etched asshown in FIG. 44C, using the oxide/nitride multilayer mask previouslyfabricated. After the etch step, a thin thermal oxide layer 4425 asillustrated in FIG. 44D is then grown. For example, the thin oxide layer4425 may be 30 nm, 50 nm, or another suitable thickness depending on theparticular application.

In order to introduce fixed negative charges into the thermal oxidelayer 4425, an ion-implantation process is utilized as illustrated inFIG. 44D. Suitable ions, such as iodine, bromine, chromium, aluminum, orchlorine are implanted at a predetermined energy for a predeterminedtime. Depending on the application, the implant dose is selected toprovide adequate charge balance to the positive charge in the mesa. Asshown in FIG. 44D, an angle implant may be used depending on the trenchwidth and depth. After the implantation process, the trenches are filledwith a deposited oxide and etched back as shown in FIG. 44E. Forexample, a low temperature oxide or a TEOS deposition process can beused to completely fill the trenches. In some embodiments, an etch backis used to planarize the surface after the oxide trench fill step. As analternative to the process illustrated in FIGS. 44D and 44E, a processcan be performed to implant iodine, bromine, chromium, aluminum, orchlorine ions inside the trench after the trench fill with dielectricusing lithography processes. The implantation of the iodine, bromine,chromium, aluminum, or chlorine or similar ions into the insulatinglayer 4425 provides for a fixed negative charge at the interface of thetrenches 4420 and the n-type region adjacent the trenches. As a resultof the fixed negative charge in the trenches, at zero bias, thedielectric layer's fixed negative charge is partially balanced by thecharge of an inversion layer that forms at the silicon-dielectric layerinterface. The charge in the dielectric layer is preferably located ator close to the silicon-dielectric interface for maximum effectiveness.

In order to form the trench for the CG, the oxide layer present on thesurface of the device is masked and removed over the trench area. Thenthe CG trench is etched to a predetermined depth as illustrated in FIG.44F. Typically, etching of the CG trench is performed using a dry plasmaetching technique although that is not required by embodiments of thepresent invention. Although not illustrated, one or more masking stepsare utilized during the etching process as will be evident to one ofskill in the art.

A thermal gate oxide 4422 is grown in the trench CG as shown in FIG. 44Gand/or on the upper surface of the device. In order to form the trenchCG, polysilicon 4432 is then deposited and is doped using an n-typedoping process such as phosphorus doping and etched back to the level orbelow that of the gate oxide by an etching process such as plasma dryetching, by the use of CMP techniques, by a combination of the two or byother processes. The structure at this stage of fabrication isillustrated in FIG. 44H.

Several masking steps are then performed to implant the p-body and p+layers using p-type doping such as boron, the n+ source using arsenic,antimony, phosphorus, or a combination thereof as shown in FIG. 44I.Additionally, a deep p+ layer may also be implanted as one of theseprocessing steps. Various masking, implantation, annealing, and otherprocessing steps used to form the diffused junctions illustrated in FIG.44I are not illustrated for purposes of clarity. One of ordinary skillin the art would recognize many variations, modifications, andalternatives.

In order to provide for electrical contact regions, the insulatinglayers formed on portions of the upper surface of the device areremoved, typically by use of an etching process, an oxide layer 4440 isdeposited, the oxide layer 4440 is patterned, and contact metallization4452 and 4454 is formed after lapping to complete the device fabricationprocess. The resulting device is shown in FIG. 44K.

FIG. 44L is a simplified illustration of a semiconductor devicefabricated according to the process flow of FIGS. 44A-K including a voidaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 44L, a void 4460 is formed in each of the CC trenches during devicefabrication. As an example of a process flow that would form the voidsillustrated in FIG. 44L, the voids could be formed as part of step 44Eas the dielectric layer is deposited in the CC trenches after the ionimplantation process. As discussed previously in the presentspecification, the voids may be formed either intentionally or as abyproduct of the dielectric deposition process and provide for anadditional dielectric material (e.g., air or an inert environment)interior to the one or more dielectric materials illustrated in the CCtrenches. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize manyvariations, modifications, and alternatives.

Referring to FIG. 43A, a simplified illustration of a planar n-channelDMOS transistor is provided. Such a structure can be fabricated using afabrication process that is a variation of the process illustrated inFIGS. 39A-I. For example, in order to fabricate a transistor with aplanar gate, the etching of the gate trench that is illustrated in FIGS.39E-F would not be performed. Additionally, steps 39G through 39H wouldbe modified to form a gate oxide and gate material (e.g., polysilicon)that are appropriate for a planar gate structure. One of ordinary skillin the art would recognize many variations, modifications, andalternatives.

It should be appreciated that the specific steps illustrated in FIGS.44A-K provide a particular method of fabricating a semiconductor deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Other sequences ofsteps may also be performed according to alternative embodiments. Forexample, alternative embodiments of the present invention may performthe steps outlined above in a different order. Moreover, the individualsteps illustrated in FIGS. 44A-K may include multiple sub-steps that maybe performed in various sequences as appropriate to the individual step.Furthermore, additional steps may be added or removed depending on theparticular applications. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

FIGS. 45A-K illustrate a simplified process flow for fabricating asemiconductor device according to yet another specific embodiment of thepresent invention. In the following process flow, a method of making ap-channel transistor with a trench CG and CC trenches filled with adielectric material (e.g., a silicon oxide material) having a fixedpositive charge is described. A heavily doped p+ substrate 4501 isprovided. The substrate 4501 may be doped with boron or other suitablep-type dopants. A p-type epitaxial layer 4505 is grown on top of the p+substrate 4501 as illustrated in FIG. 45A. Next, a thin oxide layer 4510is grown over the epitaxial layer and a thin silicon nitride layer 4512is then deposited on top of the oxide layer. In a specific embodiment,the oxide layer 4510 is 30 nm thick and the silicon nitride layer 4512is 100 nm thick.

The oxide layer and the silicon nitride layer are masked and etched asshown in FIG. 45B. Although embodiments of the present invention are notlimited by the use of photoresist mask, this is one possible maskinglayer used in some embodiments. The CC trenches 4520 are then etched asshown in FIG. 45C, using the oxide/nitride multilayer mask previouslyfabricated. After the etch step, a thin thermal oxide layer 4525 asillustrated in FIG. 45D is then grown. For example, the thin oxide layer4525 may be 30 nm, 50 nm, or another suitable thickness depending on theparticular application.

In order to introduce fixed positive charges into the thermal oxidelayer 4525, an ion-implantation process is utilized as illustrated inFIG. 45D. Suitable ions, such as cesium, are implanted at apredetermined energy for a predetermined time. Depending on theapplication, the implant dose is selected to provide adequate chargebalance to the negative charge in the mesa. As shown in FIG. 45D, anangle implant may be used depending on the trench width and depth. Afterthe implantation process, the trenches are filled with a deposited oxideand etched back as shown in FIG. 45E. For example, a low temperatureoxide or a TEOS deposition process can be used to completely fill thetrenches. In some embodiments, an etch back is used to planarize thesurface after the oxide trench fill step. As an alternative to theprocess illustrated in FIGS. 45D and 45E, a process can be performed toimplant cesium ions inside the trench after the trench fill withdielectric using lithography processes. The implantation of the cesiumor similar ions into the insulating layer 4525 provides for a fixedpositive charge at the interface of the trenches 4520 and the p-typeregion adjacent the trenches. As a result of the fixed positive chargein the trenches, at zero bias, the dielectric layer's fixed positivecharge is partially balanced by the charge of an inversion layer thatforms at the silicon-dielectric layer interface. The charge in thedielectric layer is preferably located at or close to thesilicon-dielectric interface for maximum effectiveness.

In order to form the trench for the CG, the oxide layer present on thesurface of the device is masked and removed over the trench area. Thenthe CG trench is etched to a predetermined depth as illustrated in FIG.45F. Typically, etching of the CG trench is performed using a dry plasmaetching technique although that is not required by embodiments of thepresent invention. Although not illustrated, one or more masking stepsare utilized during the etching process as will be evident to one ofskill in the art.

A thermal gate oxide 4522 is grown in the trench CG as shown in FIG. 45Gand/or on the upper surface of the device. In order to form the trenchCG, polysilicon 4532 is then deposited and is doped using a p-typedoping process such as boron doping and etched back to the level orbelow that of the gate oxide by an etching process such as plasma dryetching, by the use of CMP techniques, by a combination of the two or byother processes. The structure at this stage of fabrication isillustrated in FIG. 45H.

Several masking steps are then performed to implant the n-body and n+layers using n-type doping such as arsenic, antimony, phosphorus, or acombination thereof, the p+ source using boron as shown in FIG. 45I.Additionally, a deep n+ layer may also be implanted as one of theseprocessing steps. Various masking, implantation, annealing, and otherprocessing steps used to form the diffused junctions illustrated in FIG.45I are not illustrated for purposes of clarity. One of ordinary skillin the art would recognize many variations, modifications, andalternatives.

In order to provide for electrical contact regions, the insulatinglayers formed on portions of the upper surface of the device areremoved, typically by use of an etching process, and contactmetallization 4552 and 4554 is formed after lapping to complete thedevice fabrication process. The resulting device is shown in FIG. 45K.

It should be appreciated that the specific steps illustrated in FIGS.45A-K provide a particular method of fabricating a semiconductor deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Other sequences ofsteps may also be performed according to alternative embodiments. Forexample, alternative embodiments of the present invention may performthe steps outlined above in a different order. Moreover, the individualsteps illustrated in FIGS. 45A-K may include multiple sub-steps that maybe performed in various sequences as appropriate to the individual step.Furthermore, additional steps may be added or removed depending on theparticular applications. One of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize many variations, modifications, and alternatives.

FIG. 45L is a simplified illustration of a semiconductor devicefabricated according to the process flow of FIGS. 45A-K including a voidaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 45L, a void 4560 is formed in each of the CC trenches during devicefabrication. As an example of a process flow that would form the voidsillustrated in FIG. 45L, the voids could be formed as part of step 45Eas the dielectric layer is deposited in the CC trenches after the ionimplantation process. As discussed previously in the presentspecification, the voids may be formed either intentionally or as abyproduct of the dielectric deposition process and provide for anadditional dielectric material (e.g., air or an inert environment)interior to the one or more dielectric materials illustrated in the CCtrenches. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize manyvariations, modifications, and alternatives.

While the present invention has been described with respect toparticular embodiments and specific examples thereof, it should beunderstood that other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scopeof the invention. The scope of the invention should, therefore, bedetermined with reference to the appended claims along with their fullscope of equivalents.

1. A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor layer of a firstconductivity type having a first surface and a second surface; a sourceregion disposed on the first surface; a gate region disposed on thefirst surface adjacent the source region; a drain region disposed on thefirst surface; and a charge control trench disposed between the gateregion and the drain region, wherein the charge control trench comprisesa first dielectric material disposed therein, the first dielectricmaterial including an intentionally introduced spatially fixed chargehaving a polarity which tends to deplete portions of said semiconductorlayer; wherein the intentionally introduced charge comprises a netpositive charge from associated cesium ions.
 2. A semiconductor devicecomprising: a first-conductivity-type source region disposed on a firstsurface of a semiconductor layer; a gate region capacitively coupled toa second-conductivity-type body region of the semiconductor layer, whichlies adjacent to the source region; a drain region disposed on the firstsurface, and separated from the source region by said body region and bya first-conductivity-type drift region; and a charge control trenchwhich is disposed between the gate region and the drain region, andwhich abuts the drift region, and which comprises a first dielectricmaterial disposed therein, the first dielectric material including anintentionally introduced spatially fixed charge having a polarity whichtends to deplete portions of said drift region; wherein the firstconductivity type is n-type, the second conductivity type is p-type, andthe spatially fixed charge has positive polarity.
 3. A semiconductordevice comprising: a first-conductivity-type source region disposed on afirst surface of a semiconductor layer; a gate region capacitivelycoupled to a second-conductivity-type body region of the semiconductorlayer, which lies adjacent to the source region; a drain region disposedon the first surface, and separated from the source region by said bodyregion and by a first-conductivity-type drift region; and a chargecontrol trench which is disposed between the gate region and the drainregion, and which abuts the drift region, and which comprises a firstdielectric material disposed therein, the first dielectric materialincluding an intentionally introduced spatially fixed charge having apolarity which tends to deplete portions of said drift region; whereinthe intentionally introduced charge is a net positive charge associatedwith a region of cesium ions.
 4. A semiconductor device comprising: afirst-conductivity-type source region disposed on a first surface of asemiconductor layer; a gate region capacitively coupled to asecond-conductivity-type body region of the semiconductor layer, whichlies adjacent to the source region; a drain region disposed on the firstsurface, and separated from the source region by said body region and bya first-conductivity-type drift region; and a charge control trenchwhich is disposed between the gate region and the drain region, andwhich abuts the drift region, and which comprises a first dielectricmaterial disposed therein, the first dielectric material including anintentionally introduced spatially fixed charge having a polarity whichtends to deplete portions of said drift region; wherein the dielectricmaterial is silicon oxide, and the intentionally introduced charge is anet positive charge associated with a region of cesium ions.
 5. Asemiconductor device comprising: an n-type source region disposed on afirst surface of a semiconductor layer; a gate region capacitivelycoupled to a p-type body region of the semiconductor layer, which liesadjacent to the source region; an n-type drain contact region disposedon the first surface, and separated from the source region by said bodyregion and by an n-type drift region; and a charge control trench whichis disposed between the gate region and the drain contact region, andwhich abuts the drift region, and which comprises a first dielectricmaterial disposed therein, the first dielectric material including netintentionally introduced spatially fixed charge having a positive netpolarity.
 6. The semiconductor device of claim 5, wherein thesemiconductor layer is silicon, and the dielectric material is siliconoxide.
 7. The semiconductor device of claim 5, wherein the intentionallyintroduced charge is a net positive charge associated with a region ofcesium ions.
 8. The semiconductor device of claim 5, wherein thedielectric material is silicon oxide, and the intentionally introducedcharge is a net positive charge associated with a region of cesium ions.9. The semiconductor device of claim 5, wherein the semiconductor layeris silicon, and the dielectric material is silicon oxide, and theintentionally introduced charge is a net positive charge associated witha region of cesium ions.